The Feast of the Holy Family celebrates the human family unit, as well as the ultimate family unit: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The feast is usually celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas. If Christmas is a Sunday, then the feast is celebrated on December 30. The Liturgical Color(s) is white. Scriptural References for the Holy Family can be found in Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:1-24, Psalm 128, Colossians 3:12-21.
The devotion to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem along with baby Jesus. The shepherds went to adore the Child, and at the same time, they gave honor to His family. Later, in a similar way, the three wise men came from the East to adore and give honor to the newborn King with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that would be safeguarded by His family.
The Feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our own families too. The main purpose of the Feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families, and for domestic life in general. Our family life becomes sanctified when we live the life of the Church within our homes. This is called the "domestic church.” St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to make each home a "family church," and in doing so, this sanctifies the family unit. Just how does one live out the Church in the family? The best way is by making Christ the center of family and individual life. Ways to do this include reading scripture regularly, praying daily, attending Mass at least on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, imitating the actions of the Holy Family, going to confession frequently, all done together as a family unit.
Prayer to the Holy Family:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendor of true love; to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Graciously hear our prayer.
Amen. (Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, 325)
