Today we remember and celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. It might be true to say that the focus of attention leading up and during the celebration of the Nativity is Jesus. Today, however, we take time to acknowledge the whole family!
There is often a sense of nostalgia and romance about the birth of Jesus. This can be heard in the best of our much-loved Christmas Carols and can even be seen in the worst of our Christmas cards! These cards show us a crisp winter night, stars in the sky and snow on the manger. But we need to look beyond them, particularly on this great and important feast.
Mary was called personally by her name and asked to take on what would seem to be an impossible task. However, she was not expected to do what she was asked to do all by herself, nor to solely rely on her own efforts or strength. On hearing that she was to be the mother of Jesus, ‘she was deeply disturbed and wondered what the greeting could mean.’ Told not to be afraid, she was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. She was strengthened and encouraged by God to do what He asked of her.
Joseph, too, was called to take on a role for which he did not ask. Like Mary, he, too, heard the message, ‘do not to be afraid.’ God, who called both of them, would not ignore or abandoned them as they became the parents of Jesus.
Jesus, too, in his own life and ministry, was guided and led by God. He said, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, I have been called to bring the good news to the poor.’ Even Jesus does not rely on his own efforts!
On this feast of the Holy Family, it is good to pray in gratefulness and thanks for our own parents and family. No one’s family is perfect. All our family members, including ourselves, have made mistakes and gotten things wrong. We have all done and said things that we have later regretted. Regardless of this, we owe our family everything and for this we thank God, especially today.
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!