Christmas is about the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth; it is about our Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is about rejoicing that God sent his Son to be with us; it is about the Almighty transcendent God taking on flesh; it is about God becoming a living, breathing, walking and talking human being.
Christmas is the most beautiful and splendid season of the year. The celebration of the unique birth of Jesus Christ, God and Man, makes this season both splendid and beautiful. The celebration of his birth into a family makes this season a time of joy and a time of thankfulness; a time to reflect and a time to convert; a time to focus on our individual as well as our family lives.
Of all the families in human history, the family of Jesus stands above all others. This family is outstanding for its holiness, genuineness, understanding and acceptance of one another. This family is featured on greeting cards, in display windows and in the carols of the season.
Not health, wealth, education, location or social status accounts for their place of prominence in human history. To the contrary, Mary and Joseph were poor. They were unschooled country people. Externally, they had nothing to distinguish them above any other Israelite of their time.
Internally, what distinguished them were their holy hearts and their close personal relationship with God. It is this that has given them lasting greatness. It is this that motivates us to look at them as a model family. They illustrate God’s plan for a family. They challenge all of us to pattern our homes after the heart of God.
The Sacred Scriptures describe Joseph as a just and holy man; as a gentle and sensitive man; as a compassionate and merciful man. He loved Mary and was unwilling to expose her to public shame or disgrace. He listened to the voice of God and was committed and yielding to everything God asked of him.
Joseph was not a passive uninvolved husband and father. Instead, he led his family in seeking God. His faithful walk with God provided a spiritually secure environment in which his wife and child could grow and develop emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Being a father is a sacred vocation. It is a dignified calling. It demands courage. It demands commitment. In addition, at the same time fathers have tremendous power in the home. They have the power of witness and the power of modeling.
The Sacred Scriptures describe Mary as a focused woman who lived in Nazareth, which was a center of commerce known at that time for its materialism and profiteering. She separated herself from anything that would defile her body, mind and spirit. She was a spirit-filled woman who was chosen for the special task of carrying in her womb the Son of God.
Mary offered her body to be used by God for his purposes. Mary was willing to endure the physical pain of childbirth. She was willing to endure the challenge of raising a Son for the joy of being used by God. She encouraged his vocation.
Being a mother is a special vocation. It is one of the most challenging tasks there is. It is one of the most demanding tasks there is. It is one of the most sacred tasks there is. A mother’s love, compassion and spirituality are at the heart of every family.
Mary was a grateful and worshipping woman. In the “Magnificat,” she unleashes one of the most magnificent songs of praise in all of human history. Her heart overflows with praise for the wonderful acts and mercy of God in her life. Her greatest delight was not in being known. However, she wanted to make her Son Jesus known to everyone.
Mary spends sleepless nights in prayer. She spends long nights in fasting. She relinquishes anything that would get in the way of fulfilling the purpose for which God created her. Her prayers and her compassion were at the heart of the home in Nazareth.
Christmas is a time when we evaluate our homes in the light of the Holy Family portrait. How do we seek God? How do we walk with God? How do we grow in holiness? How do we encourage vocations?
In this Christmas Season, I pray that God will rise up this generation of husbands, wives and young people in the footsteps of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in building God-centered and God-focused homes.
Msgr. Thomas J. Morgan is pastor of St. Mary Parish and St. Thomas More Parish, Cherry Hill.
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