The Tender Embrace of Holiness

No regal adornments or robes of glory clothed the parents of the Christ Child; rather, two simple human beings conformed to the will of God.

As I look at the image of the Holy Family on our mantle, Joseph holds Mary in a tender embrace and Mary rests her head under Joseph’s neck, with the little Babe snuggled between them. I see the fountain of love pouring out from each of them, and I am reminded of the feeling of holding a newborn baby for the very first time. Quiet and peace shroud the parents despite the events that transpired before the birth of the Baby.

In that moment, you need nothing else in the world.

Sometimes the Holy Family can seem so distant from my own reality, and I’m tempted to think of them as aspirational (there aren’t too many moments during the day that I can get my kids to be still like the image I have). Plus, my husband isn’t pulling the kids and me on a donkey. Despite the centuries that have gone by and advances in transportation, we are still called to the holiness of the Holy Family that has transcended time.

In today’s Second Reading, Saint Paul calls us to “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 3:12-14). The Holy Family offers us this bond of perfection and warmly invites us into their loving arms alongside the little Babe of Bethlehem.

We, too, can experience this perfect love and seek holiness.

It all begins with the people you welcome in your loving embrace. This kind of love doesn’t have to be aspirational. It is within reach in our own immediate family, extended family, friends, and neighbors. Gaze at the Holy Family and receive the invitation to love.

Sister, the Christmas season is just getting started, open your arms wide and “put on love.”

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About Mytae Carrasco Wallace

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Mytae Carrasco Wallace is Las Vegas born and raised and holds a Masters in Public Administration. She and her husband have the privilege of leading Pre-Cana retreats for their home parish. On the daily you can find her raising her three kiddos, choreographing dance moves to entertain her children, and doing her own version of carpool karaoke. She was a contributing author to All She Had. Find out more about her here. Mytae es creada y nacida en Las Vegas, NV. Tiene su Maestría en Administración Pública. Ella y su esposo tienen el privilegio de dirigir los retiros de Pre-Cana para su parroquia. Diariamente puedes encontrarla criando a sus tres hijos, coreografiando movimientos de baile para entretener a sus hijos y cantando su propia versión de karaoke en el carro. Fue autora contribuyente de All She Had. Conozca la mejor aquí..