“Look to the Lord in his strength; constantly seek his face.” – Psalm 105:4
I love the simplicity of the Nativity scene. Each person in the scene is directed toward Jesus in the manger. Everyone surrounds and looks lovingly at the Christ child. The One the entire universe was created through made manifest in a tiny baby: All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be” (John 1:3).
Today we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We imagine their happy, loving home as a prayerful place of wholesome work and togetherness. Pope Francis said, “The family of Nazareth is holy because it was centered on Jesus.” When Jesus is in the center of our lives, we each strive to serve and love Him and others, and His peace reigns. The discord of selfishness disappears. We are rightly oriented to Jesus as Lord and King.
In our second reading this Sunday, St. Paul shows us a pictures of what our families and other close relationships will look like when they are centered on Christ: “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3: 11-15).
I would like to take this focus on love and simplicity into this coming year: keeping my eyes focused on Christ, being lit up by His light, fed by His Eucharistic Body, and made joyful by His Precious Blood. Jesus, the center of my life. The sun in my solar system, around which everything else orbits. When I look with love on the Christ child, constantly seeking his face (Psalm 105:4), my love for others can know no limits.
Mary and Joseph, pray for me to keep Jesus as the center of my life as you did. Jesus, may your love and peace reign in my heart. Help me to seek Your face in all people, especially those closest to me. Help me spread your hope, peace, joy, and love to all that I meet.