First, a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made our Christmas celebrations so meaningful. To our musicians, decorators, ministers, and volunteers—your dedication transformed our parish into a place of joy and reverence, reflecting the majesty of Christ’s birth. A special thank-you to those who welcomed guests and extended invitations, embodying the warmth of this holy season. On behalf of Fr. Toniyo, Fr. Britto, and myself, thank you for the thoughtful cards, gifts, and the homemade treats. Your generosity is deeply humbling and appreciated. A special shoutout to the St. Michael School 5th Grade Class for their handmade Advent calendar with an added chocolate—they felt sorry for me! Merry Christmas, St. Michael School—you’re the best!

**The Holy Family**

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we turn our hearts to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, who provide us with a profound model of family life. This feast highlights the sanctity of family and its central role in God’s plan for salvation. Yet, it’s easy to romanticize the Holy Family, imagining serene Nativity scenes of quiet perfection. The reality was far from idyllic. Their lives were marked by challenges—fleeing to Egypt as refugees, enduring the anxiety of losing the young Jesus in the Temple, and facing the uncertainties of life. Despite these struggles, they responded with love, unity, and trust in God.

The Holy Family reminds us that holiness does not mean living without difficulties or trials. Rather, it is about choosing love and faith in the midst of them. Family life, as we know, can be messy. Sibling disagreements, misunderstandings, and the busyness of daily life can sometimes obscure moments of grace. Yet, St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians offers us a vision of family life as a sanctuary of grace. He urges us to “put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and, above all, love” (Colossians 3:12-14). These virtues, though challenging, have the power to transform our families into reflections of God’s love.

Family is a gift—even if it doesn’t always feel like one. Those closest to us often test our patience, but they also teach us humility, forgiveness, and unconditional love. God uses these relationships, with all their imperfections, to prepare us for Heaven. As we honor the Holy Family, let us recommit to loving our own families with gratitude and renewed dedication.

**Five Golden Rings**

Today is the fifth day of Christmas. According to the traditional Christmas Carol: “On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… give golden rings calling…” This is always my favorite part of the song. As a kid, I would always shout at the top of my lungs, “FIIIVVE GOOLDEN RINGSS!!!” In the song, the “five golden rings” symbolize the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These foundational books reveal God’s faithfulness throughout salvation history and underscore the importance of family in His plan.

In Genesis, we meet Abraham and Sarah trusting in God’s promise of descendants, despite their old age. We also encounter Jacob and his sons, whose story of conflict and reconciliation highlights God’s providence. Exodus recounts Moses leading God’s people to freedom, foreshadowing the liberation Christ brings. Through these stories of imperfect families, we see God’s grace working through human frailty to accomplish His divine will.

**A Covenant of Love**

A wedding ring symbolizes a covenant—a bond of love and commitment. So the “five golden rings” could also represent the five major covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Christ. These covenants weren’t contracts but sacred commitments that shaped God’s relationship with His people. They tell a story of the Father’s love, of His great desire to form a family, and the great lengths He will go to reconcile and heal His family.

For us today, these covenants remind us not only of God’s love, but also how we should live our lives in response to that love. Like Noah, families today are called to be places of safety and respect for life. Like Abraham, we are invited to trust in God’s promises even when the path is unclear. The covenant with Moses reminds us to care for one another, while the covenant with David emphasizes the importance of passing faith to the next generation. Finally, the New Covenant calls us to embody Christ’s love, transforming our homes into reflections of His grace.

**Living the Lessons of Family and Faith**

As we reflect on the Holy Family and the Five Golden Rings, let’s bring their lessons into our daily lives. Here are three practical ways to do so this week:

·       **Reconnect with Family:** Strengthen your family bonds by reaching out to a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while, expressing gratitude, or offering forgiveness where needed.

·       **Engage with Scripture:** Spend time with one of the books of the Pentateuch. For example, the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) offers profound lessons about navigating family struggles, betrayal, and reconciliation.

·       **Cultivate Virtues:** Use St. Paul’s virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and love as a guide. Small acts of patience or kindness can bring the grace of the Holy Family into your home.

**Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive**

While many pack away decorations after Christmas Day, the season continues through the Twelve Days of Christmas, culminating in the Feast of the Epiphany. This week, we also celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, on January 1st—a Holy Day of Obligation. Mary’s faith, trust, and joyful “yes” to God offer us a powerful example for the year ahead. Let us keep the spirit of Christmas alive—not just in our homes, but in our hearts and actions. The Holy Family and the five covenants remind us that God’s love is steadfast, and our response should be one of gratitude and faith-filled action. Together, may we continue to unwrap the treasures of this holy season. Merry Christmas!