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December 30, 2016December 30th - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Most years, the Church celebrates this feast of the Holy Family on the Sunday between Christmas and January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary. When both of those commemorations fall on a Sunday, as they do this year, the feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on December 30th.
Our gaze moves from the Christmas scene in Bethlehem where Joseph and Mary stand together, keeping a loving and protective watch on the infant Jesus, to their journey to Egypt after Joseph is warned in a dream that real danger approaches. It is Luke who continues the narrative of Jesus’ circumcision and naming (Luke 2:22), presentation in the Temple (2:22-38) and, his being found amidst the teachers in the Temple when he is twelve (2:41-51). From infant to young adult, Jesus is loved, protected and taught by his parents, Mary and Joseph.
The beautiful mosaic of the Holy Family on the south wall of our church, invites us to prayer, today and each day, asking Jesus, Mary and Joseph to bless and guide all who raise children, that they do so with love, instilling in them Christian values and respect for all of creation.
