Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Protecting Christ In You

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Church of St. Bridget of Minneapolis, MN

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Today, we come to the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, which immediately follows the great Feast of Christmas. On the first Sunday after Christmas, the Church invites us to reflect on the Holy Family. Why? There is a deeper theological reason for that. The Baby King has been born, and right away, he faces opposition. In our Gospel for today, Matthew tells us that Herod is looking for him, not to adore him or welcome him into the world, but to take him out of this world. He is looking for him to kill him. Consequently, he needs the protection and nurturance of his family. Joseph and Mary have to do something drastic and dramatic to protect him. The angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream and urged him, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.” 

What is the spiritual lesson here? As you know, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, not only in the manger in Bethlehem but also in us. Just as Christ was historically opposed shortly after his birth in the world, his birth in us will be opposed as well. Just as Herod tried to kill him shortly after his birth in Bethlehem, so the forces of darkness will attempt to kill him in us. On Christmas Day, I listened to the Christmas message of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. According to him, when Bethlehem was under Israeli control, the Christian population was 80%. Today, it is only 20%. He attributes this shocking decline to the oppression and persecution of Christians in Palestine. The same is happening in some parts of Nigeria. In the northern parts of Nigeria, Islamic terrorists are killing Christians in record numbers, never seen before in the history of the country or even of the world. The point I am making is that wherever Christ is born, in people’s hearts, in a culture, or in a nation, he always faces opposition. If Christ is in you and reigning as King, you will face opposition. Christ in you will be opposed. In fact, expect opposition from within you and from outside you. But don’t forget this stubborn fact: Christ in you is more powerful than anything in the world. So, do not be afraid. 

So what do Christians need to protect the Child Jesus born within them?

First, vigilance of the heart. Herod was threatened because he feared losing control. In the same way, Christ’s presence within us challenges our ego, comfort, and false securities. We must be attentive to the subtle “Herods” within us—pride, resentment, fear, and indifference—that seek to silence Christ before he can grow.

Second, humility and obedience. Joseph protected the Child not by power or argument but by obeying God’s voice. When warned in a dream, he acted immediately. Christians protect Christ within them by listening to God in prayer, Scripture, and conscience, and by responding with humble obedience—even when it disrupts our plans.

Third, a life of prayer. The Child Jesus is fragile within us. Prayer is the shelter that keeps him safe. Without prayer, faith becomes vulnerable to distraction and compromise. With prayer, Christ grows strong within us and begins to shape our thoughts, words, and actions.

Fourth, moral courage. The Holy Family fled to Egypt to save their lives. Protecting Christ in us sometimes demands difficult choices—walking away from sin, resisting cultural pressures, or standing for truth even when it is unpopular. Faith that avoids sacrifice quickly fades.

Finally, trust in God’s providence. Joseph did not know how the story would unfold, but he trusted the God who had entrusted the Child to him. Christians protect Christ within them by trusting God even amid uncertainty, believing that God’s plan is greater than their fear.

Herod sought to destroy the Child because he saw him as a rival. We protect the Child Jesus within us by enthroning him as Lord rather than treating him as a threat. When Christ is welcomed, guarded, and allowed to grow, Christmas does not end—it continues in a life transformed by his presence.