Children's Liturgy Series: Feast of the Holy Family

In today's Gospel we learn about the obedience of Mary and Joseph as devout Jews, who travel to the temple in Jerusalem to present the baby Jesus to the Lord.

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant goin peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Say: We learn many important things from our families. What are some things that your families have taught you? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Say: We know that Jesus learned many important things from his family. Joseph was a carpenter, and Jesus probably learned from Joseph how to make things out of wood. What other things do you think that Jesus might have learned from Joseph? (Accept all reasonable answers.)What might Jesus have learned from his mother, Mary? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Today’s Gospel tells us about another important thing that Jesus learned from his parents.

Say: Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord. By doing this, they honored an important Jewish tradition. What do you think Jesus later learned from this? (That faith in God was important to his family.) What does our Gospel say happened next? (Mary and Joseph took Jesus home to Nazareth; Jesus grew up.)


Say: Our Gospel doesn’t tell us everything about Jesus’ childhood, but it does tell us something very important: Jesus, like us, learned many important things from his family. The most important thing that he learned was how to love God.

Conclude in prayer together, thanking God for our families and asking God to bless our family. Invite each child to ask God to bless his or her family by saying, “God bless [the name of the family].” When everyone has finished their prayers of blessing, pray together the Glory Be to the Father.