A Holy Family Service

In many liturgical traditions, the Sunday after Christmas is the celebration of the Holy Family. The emphasis on the Holy Family is a recent one, having originated in Canada in the nineteenth century and spreading since around the world. Given the breakdown of the family in the twentieth century, a day emphasizing the Christian family seems quite prudent. The emphasis of the Holy Family service is on the example Jesus' family has left us, asking for grace that our families may follow their good example. An opening prayer may petition that our families "may live as the Holy Family united in respect and love" and the concluding prayer ask that "we may constantly imitate the examples of the Holy Family and so attain to their eternal company after the trials of this life. " The Old Testament reading from the Apocrypha (Sir. 3:26, 1214) refers to the attitude children should have toward their parents. (A good alternative reading is 2 Samuel 2:13-15, 1923. ) The Epistle reading from Colos…