During this Christmas season, families all over come together to celebrate the season. Be it with the extended branch of the family or just the tight-knit nuclear families, we all have something in common when we celebrate this time of year. For us Filipinos we really value our families and it is reflected in these kinds of celebrations
The modeI family for us Catholics is the Holy Family, with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I have wondered and pondered on how we should center our families around this very special family. Upon reflection and observing the Belen of the parish i have come up with three attributes that we can follow their example:
1. Simplicity
As we gaze upon the Belen, one thing stands out the most, the meekness of the conditions of the birth of our Lord. He is only born under the straw roof of the manger surrounded by animals. This reflects the simplicity of the Holy Family, even though they knew that they bear the Salvation of the World, He is still born under these humble conditions.
We can apply this in our families by living a modest life, we don’t need to show off and splurge on expensive things to be a happy family. The root of the happiness in a family is their Love for each other. We can express this love in many simple ways and we need to accept this simplicity as a reflection of the overflowing love of the Lord in the hearts of each member of the Family.
Though it doesn’t mean that we should be stingy to our families. Simplicity does not equate to selfishness. When celebrations come like Christmas or Birthdays we need to keep in mind these celebrations are ripe with joy and family unity, making these great opportunities to show our love in various unique ways.
2. Devotion
Filipino culture innately values their family bonds, we often do everything in our power just to help one of our family members. We put our families first before any other kind of bonds that we have made. It is as if our second nature already, this shows the virtue of devotion to our families.
We can observe this devotion in the Holy Family’s spirit of service and sacrifice to one another. St. Joseph’s diligent work as a carpenter and Mary’s unwavering support and care for her family demonstrate the importance of dedicating oneself to the well-being of others. In practicing acts of kindness and selflessness, families can build stronger bonds and create a ripple effect of love and generosity within their communities.
How we can show this devotion is to simply follow the traditional roles in the family. Fathers need to be the foundation of a strong family, mothers need to be a caring and nurturing figure, and children must diligently follow the example of their parents. In doing so, they not only honor the legacy of the Holy Family but also live out the teachings of the Catholic Church, making their homes a beacon of God’s love and peace in the world.
3. Piety
Piety is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as our catechism has taught us. This is the individual expression of faith, love and reverence to God. This is a disposition that is developed through constant prayer, reflection and devoted practice of the Church tradition. The Dynamic circumstances of the Filipino Catholic family can have various expressions of this piety.
A pious family places God at the center of their lives through regular prayer, participation in the Sacraments, and a deep commitment to living out the teachings of the Church. The Catechism highlights the importance of the family as the “domestic church” (CCC 1666), where children first learn about their faith. By praying together daily, attending Mass as a family, and engaging in acts of charity, families can create a nurturing environment that fosters spiritual growth and a strong relationship with God.
Piety, in this context, becomes a way of life, guiding every decision and action with the light of Christ. Making the family’s life Christ-centered will only grow in love, an overflowing love that extends to the family and to the community. In their own lives, families can strive to support one another, forgive readily, and serve those in need, reflecting the love and compassion of the Holy Family.
The significance of the family cannot be understated, as the family is the basic unit of our society. We all come from the family one way or another and we are molded by how our families are. Through Simplicity, Devotion and Piety, families not only grow closer to each other but also become living witnesses of God’s love in the world.
Though it is important to keep in mind we can not follow all of their examples to the last minute detail. The Holy Family lives in a very extraordinary life, we can only hope to live up to their example. As a Catholic Family, let us direct our devotion to the Holy Family so that under their watchful eyes we can get closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.