Lessons and Inspirations from the Holy Family

Today is the Feast of the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This feast highlights the important role the Family plays in the life of every individual. It is a day to reflect on some of the challenges facing the family. It is day when family members are encouraged to pray and celebrate together. Some families can as well use this medium to settle their disputes. Above all, every family is called upon to emulate the Holy family. These are the lessons one can derive from the Holy Family:

The Holy Family is a law-abiding family: They were not rebellious. They did not deny the child Jesus any of the customary rites. For instance, “When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:22-24). If you want your family to be declared holy, then you must be law abiding.

The Holy Family was inspired by God: They followed strictly the direction of the Most High God. For instance, before the birth of Christ, the angel told Joseph that the child must be called Jesus ‘for he will save his people’ (Matthew 1:21). That was exactly what they did in Luke 2:21 “At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” If you want your family to succeed, then you must follow God’s instruction.

The Holy Family is a Training Home: Proverbs 22:6 declares, “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” That was exactly what happened in the Holy Family. “When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him” (Luke 2:39-40) Our Lord Jesus Christ acquired most of His knowledge, wisdom and understanding at home, through His family. Every family has a vital role to play in the upbringing of their children.

The Holy Family Dedicated its Child and family to God: Our Lord Jesus Christ was dedicated to God in accordance to the law of Moses, which declares; “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord” (Luke 2:23); The Holy Family had its own challenges: For instance, as the boy Jesus went missing for three days, the family was able to manage their challenges without blaming anyone.
The Holy Family is caring: Mary told her Son, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” As Joseph did not abandon Mary when their Son was missing, fathers should not leave their parental responsibility to their wives alone. All hands must be on deck!

When Mary found her missing child, she did not beat him up for all the pains he caused them. She kept all these things in her heart (Luke 2:51). We should be patient with one another. Finally, the Holy Family is the most favoured family on earth. According to Luke 2:52 the child Jesus “increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.” Child of God, from today, your family will be favoured and it shall be well with you, in Jesus name – Amen!