Scott 275 (1960) Flight into Egypt by Fra Angelico

Scott 292-294, The Holy Family by Von Honthorst (1960)

Scott 869 (1990) Nativity scene		Scott 1256 (2003) Nativity scene

The Feast of the Holy Family is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday following Christmas. In 2022, with Christmas falling on a Sunday, the feast is celebrated on Friday, December 30.

This feast day focuses on religious family life, specifically the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Because of the flight into Egypt following Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, it has been observed by Coptic Christians from the earliest days of the Church. In western Christianity, it began to be celebrated in the 17th century and was proclaimed an annual feast day by Pope Benedict XV in 1921 when it was celebrated the Sunday after Epiphany. In 1969 it was moved to the first Sunday following Christmas.

The Catholic Culture website states observance “…might instill into Christian families something of the faithful love and the devoted attachment that characterize the family of Nazareth. The primary purpose of the Church in instituting and promoting this feast is to present the Holy Family as the model and exemplar of all Christian families.” Children should learn that in observing the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph these two saints serve as models for their own parents, the importance of family life, and the necessity for young children to obey their parents, as did the young Jesus as told in scripture.

References:
• Encyclopedia Britannica
online at https://www.britannica.com/topic/Feast-of-the-Holy-Family
• Catholic Culture website, entry for the Feast of the Holy Family in 2020
at https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-12-27.