Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family
The Feast of the Holy Family, celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas, is a beautiful opportunity for Catholic homeschooling families to reflect on the model of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Their love, humility, and faithfulness provide a perfect example for us to emulate in our homes. Here’s how your family can celebrate this feast day and strive to live as a holy family amidst today’s culture.
1. Begin with Prayer and Reflection
Start your day with a special family prayer:
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, make our family one of love and prayer, faithful in following God’s will and patient in trials. May we be a sign of Christ’s love in the world. Amen.
Afterward, read the Gospel passage for the day (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 or Luke 2:22-40) and reflect as a family on how the Holy Family lived in trust, simplicity, and devotion to God.
2. Create a Holy Family Litany
Gather as a family and compose a litany, naming the virtues of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph you want to imitate:
- Jesus, obedient to the Father, teach us to trust.
- Mary, full of grace, help us to say yes to God’s will.
- Joseph, protector and provider, guide our families in faithfulness.
Pray your litany together during morning prayer or before meals.
3. Have a Family Feast Day Celebration
Prepare a simple meal and make it special:
- Decorate your table with white and gold linens to symbolize purity and holiness.
- Include foods your children associate with joy and celebration, like a favorite dessert.
- During the meal, discuss ways each family member contributes to making your home a place of love and faith.
4. Do a Holy Family Craft or Activity
For younger children, create a Holy Family craft, such as:
- A Holy Family Shrine using paper, markers, or clay.
- A Virtue Chain, where each link represents a virtue practiced by the Holy Family, like kindness, patience, and humility.
Older children might enjoy writing a short reflection or journal entry on how they can grow in holiness like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
5. Strengthen Family Bonds
Take time to focus on togetherness:
- Game Night: Choose games that promote cooperation and teamwork.
- Service Project: Serve others as a family by delivering meals, writing cards for shut-ins, or donating to a charity.
- Family Rosary or Adoration: Offer these prayers for specific intentions related to your family’s growth in holiness.
6. Strive to Be a Holy Family in Today’s Culture
Living as a holy family requires intentionality, especially in today’s fast-paced and secular world. Here are a few ways to foster holiness in your home:
- Prioritize Prayer: Start and end your day with family prayer. Make the Sacraments a priority, especially Confession and Sunday Mass.
- Cultivate Virtues: Teach virtues like humility, obedience, and charity through daily interactions and by modeling them yourself.
- Guard Against Distractions: Set limits on technology, focusing instead on meaningful conversations and shared activities.
- Celebrate Faith Together: Mark feast days, pray novenas, and share stories of the saints to keep Christ at the center of your home.
- Support Each Other: In trials, remind each other to trust in God’s providence, as the Holy Family did during their flight to Egypt and other challenges.
Conclusion
The Holy Family shows us that holiness isn’t about perfection but about love, sacrifice, and trust in God. By celebrating this feast and striving to model their virtues, we draw closer to Christ and transform our homes into little domestic churches.
May the Holy Family guide and inspire your family to grow in faith, hope, and love. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us!
How does your family celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family? Share your ideas and traditions with us at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group!
