Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(1 Corinthians 13,4-7)

We are a family: mum, dad, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Families come in all shapes and sizes. God is present in all our families. Even when we are struggling sometimes, we know: we belong together.

We try to love each other and we accept each other’s strengths and weaknesses. In our family, everyone can be as he or she is, and that creates peace and happiness.

Look at the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary and Joseph – everyone had their own character and originality, but were always united with each other. God, the Father, was always at the centre of their lives. His wishes, and his unconditional love for them gave them strength in adversity and gave them the inner resilience to face any problem that came their way.

Family life is usually quite ordinary and routine. However, the small everyday acts of love, service, forgiveness and affirmation release a great blessing to everyone in our home. The Holy Family of Nazareth can help us to give birth to Christ again in our homes.

What you can do as a family

Give yourself some time just to be together. People in later life always seem to remember family holidays, days out together and family meal-times. Switch the TV off and just enjoy each other’s company and catch up with each other’s lives. Don’t let the television become the greatest “teacher” in your home. When you switch the TV off, you don’t only save a bit of electricity, but you grow in each other’s hearts by listening and sharing.