The Holy Family in the Gospels refers to Jesus, His mother Mary, and His foster-father Joseph. Their life in Nazareth is presented not as a perfect family free of challenges, but as a model of faith, love, obedience to God’s will, and mutual support amidst the ordinary and difficult circumstances of human life.
The birth of Jesus, often referred to as the Incarnation (meaning God coming into the world in human form), is the focal point of the entire Biblical narrative. It is what makes Christianity unique among all faiths and is a central piece of the Gospel message. Yet the context of this supernatural birth is very rooted in the human story that we are a part of today.
In this way, the Holy Family serves as a model for all families, teaching lessons in love, unity, and virtue through their humble service, their strong faith in God, and their resilience in very challenging circumstances. Throughout the month of December, we will be taking a closer look at each member of Jesus’ earthly family and the example they are to us today.