Today we are joyfully celebrating the Holy Family of Nazareth. It is a most suitable context because Christmas is the Feast of the family par excellence.

Human beings do not experience procreation merely as a reproductive act but perceive its richness and intuit that every human creature who is born on earth is the “sign” par excellence of the Creator and Father who is in Heaven. How important it is that every child coming into the world be welcomed by the warmth of a family! External comforts do not matter: Jesus was born in a stable and had a manger as His first cradle, but the love of Mary and of Joseph made Him feel the tenderness and beauty of being loved.

The Holy Family of Nazareth went through many trials, such as the “massacre of the innocents”, which obliged Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt. Yet, trusting in divine Providence, they found their stability and guaranteed Jesus a serene childhood and a sound upbringing.