No, but really. They keep showing up in various places in my life. And they're doing it as a group and individually... I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It is, after all, kind of their month.
At first, it was difficult to see how I could learn from them. After all, 2/3 of their family was perfect, and the other 1/3 was top-of-the-charts holy. How could I enter into their family, to allow myself to learn and grow?
The final straw occurred when I attended an Opus Dei Evening of Recollection with my sister this past Monday, and 2 of the talks were, again, on the Holy Family. Fine, I thought. If this practical priest thinks they're relevant, I will do my best to change my thinking.
So I'm beginning to pay attention.
I'm starting to see the beauty of Mary, a young woman, unsure of her future, but knowing that God's plan is bigger than her own. And I realized I could learn from that.
I'm entrusting myself to Joseph, the protector, whose quiet guidance and gentle strength was Mary's support.
And I realized I could learn from that.
I'm meditating on the helplessness of the tiny Son of God, who allowed Himself to be placed in the most difficult conditions for the good of others.
And I realized I could learn from that.
This time of year, it's hard to think about anything except the busyness, the gifts, the events, and yes, even the disagreements. We tell ourselves that "It's all about Jesus", but do we live like it's all about Him?
This Christmas, I'm challenging myself to make it about Him. I'm learning from Mary, as a young woman preparing for my last semester of undergrad, unsure of what next August will bring, but trusting that God knows what I need better than I do. I'm looking to Joseph as a protector, someone who I can reach out to at any moment, someone who wasn't perfect, who knew sin, but who was strong and quiet in his faith. And I'm learning from my Savior, that just as He offered Himself to us in a stable, on that quiet night so many years ago, in order that He could serve us and help us, so too am I asked to offer myself in service to others, sacrificially and selflessly.
As the activities of the coming week become more stressful, may we all find peace in the Truth of the Nativity and comfort in the arms of the Holy Family.