The Feast of the Holy Family falls right smack between Christmas and the Feast of Mary Mother of God (Jan 1). It is a reminder on the importance of family life. Like our Lord, we are born into a family by divine providence.

I have 23 nieces and nephews, and a great-uncle, many times. Life is such an amazing blessing and mystery. I have observed how life has slowed down for mothers as their life really revolves around her newborn. Ok, slowed down isn’t the best word, as any parent can attest, but many of the things that she would otherwise be doing (social visits, extended family gatherings) just give way to the singular importance of caring for this new child. This has struck me because it is fitting, but also because its timing is causing me to reflect on the birth of Our Lord. We run around ‘getting ready for Christmas’, we celebrate His birth with big fanfare and party, and now?…. Our lives do slow down this week. Thanks be to God! Do our lives revolve around this Child who has been born of the Virgin Mary? In your own experiences of the miracle of life, I hope you can see an image of the Life who has come into the world.

Sometimes folks tell me that their families are soooooo ‘not holy.’ But that’s ok. Remember that the head of the Holy Family is St. Joseph, the only member of the holy family who ever sinned! And Jesus makes us a member of His family, so we do share in its perfection. Seeing that holiness is possible should not discourage us but fill us with hope that God has provided, where we cannot.

May your lives this week be a celebration of the birth of Our Lord with eyes open to see his blessings in the daily lives of your family.

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

P.S. A quick “shout-out” to the Marriage Ministry program, Choice Wine, beginning in just a few weeks. Families are made stronger when couples invest time and work into their marriage. I encourage married couples to consider this program.