Restoring the Sacredness of Family as God Intended

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God’s Plan For Family

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family within the Christmas season, let us reflect on family as God intended it to be. Scripture provides a rich foundation for understanding the family as a sacred institution, designed by God to reflect his love, order, and purpose. Here are some key insights about the model of family that God intended:

The Family as a Reflection of God’s Image:
In Genesis, God creates humanity in his image, “male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). He blesses them and commands them to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). This reveals that family is not just a biological unit but a reflection of God’s creative and relational nature.
The Family as a Covenant of Love:
Marriage, the foundation of the family, is depicted as a covenantal bond. In Genesis 2:24, it says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This bond is meant to reflect the faithful, enduring love of God.
The Family as a Place of Teaching and Holiness:
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, parents are instructed to teach God’s commandments to their children: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” The family is the primary environment for forming hearts and minds in faith.
Jesus and the Model of the Holy Family:
The Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—exemplifies obedience to God’s will, sacrificial love, and mutual care. In Luke 2:51-52, we see Jesus as a child obedient to Mary and Joseph, growing “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Their life reflects simplicity, trust in God, and unity despite trials, such as the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).
The Family as a Witness of Love and Sacrifice:
St. Paul teaches that family relationships mirror Christ’s love for the Church. Husbands are to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25), and children are to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). This mutual love and sacrifice make the family a witness to God’s love in the world.
The Value of Every Child:
Against the backdrop of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, we are reminded that every child is precious in God’s sight. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” The tragedy of the Holy Innocents underscores the need to protect the vulnerable and uphold the dignity of every life.

The model of family God intended is one of unity, love, and mutual care, where each member fulfills their role in service to one another and to God. It’s a sacred space where faith is nurtured, love is practiced, and holiness is pursued.

Broken And Fragmented Families

In spite of God’s plan for family, the world today often feels far removed from the sacred model of family that God intended. The family, designed to be a sanctuary of love, faith, and formation, is increasingly fractured by societal pressures, misunderstandings of freedom, and a loss of focus on God’s central role in its foundation.

Broken relationships, a culture that often prioritizes individualism over sacrifice, and the devaluing of life at all stages have deeply wounded the family structure. The beautiful unity, trust, and purpose seen in the Holy Family can seem distant. Yet, even in this brokenness, God’s plan for family remains unchanged—and his grace is always present to heal and restore.

When we recognize how far we’ve fallen, it can be a call to repentance and renewal. Jesus himself entered into a broken world, choosing to be born into a humble family and live among us, showing that redemption is always possible. His grace can restore what seems lost, and his love can bind up the wounds of families, no matter how deep.

The Feast of the Holy Family reminds us of the ideal and invites us to strive for it, not through our own strength but through faith and surrender to God’s will. It’s also a call for families to lean into prayer, forgiveness, and intentional love. Small steps toward reconciling with one another and placing Christ at the center can reignite hope and reflect the light of the Holy Family, even in a darkened world.

The key area where we’ve fallen short is in turning our backs on God’s ways, choosing instead to follow our own desires, feelings, or societal trends. When families are no longer grounded in God’s truth, they lose the anchor that keeps them steady in the storms of life. Instead of forming our children in the Word of God, many homes have outsourced that role to media, schools, or culture—often with devastating consequences.

The responsibility of parents to pass on faith is central to God’s design for family. In Deuteronomy, God commands parents to teach his Word to their children in every aspect of daily life—when sitting at home, walking along the road, lying down, and rising up. But today, as you noted, children are often taught more by screens than by their parents. They’re shaped by entertainment, ideologies, and voices that contradict God’s truth. And when God is ignored or rejected altogether, the family unit loses its divine purpose and becomes vulnerable to the chaos of the world.

As dismal as it looks, there is always hope – God’s grace is greater than any distance we’ve fallen.

What Must We Do to Restore Family Life?

As Individuals:
- Return to God: Each of us must begin with our own hearts, turning back to God in repentance and faith. We can’t lead others to God if we’re not grounded in him ourselves. Prayer, Scripture reading, and frequent reception of the sacraments are vital for strengthening our relationship with him.
- Prioritize Family Faith Formation: Make time to teach God’s Word to children. This doesn’t need to be formal or intimidating—it can be as simple as reading a Bible story together, praying as a family, or discussing how faith applies to daily situations. Lead by example; let your children see you praying, forgiving, and seeking God.
- Limit Harmful Influences: Take an honest look at what’s shaping your family. Monitor the content your children consume on television and devices. Replace empty or harmful media with uplifting, Christ-centered alternatives. Create boundaries that allow more time for meaningful interaction as a family.
As Families:
- Make God the Center of Your Home: Place Christ at the heart of your family life. This could mean starting traditions like weekly family prayer, attending Mass together, or celebrating liturgical seasons at home.
- Reclaim the Dinner Table: The simple act of eating together provides a space for connection, conversation, and even prayer. Use these moments to share gratitude and talk about faith.
- Forgive and Love Generously: Families aren’t perfect, and there will be conflicts. But modeling Christ’s forgiveness and love in the home teaches children how to live those values themselves.
As a Society:
- Rebuild Faith Communities: Churches and faith-based communities must be places where families are supported, encouraged, and equipped. Programs that teach parents how to disciple their children or provide mentorship can be transformative.
- Advocate for Godly Values: In schools, media, and public policy, Christians can advocate for values that support family life and protect children. This includes pushing back against ideologies that distort God’s design for family, marriage, and human dignity.
- Offer Witness: Strong, faithful families can be a light to others. When society sees the joy and stability that come from living according to God’s plan, it can inspire others to seek the same.

Ultimately, restoring family life begins with humility—acknowledging where we’ve gone astray and choosing to submit once again to God’s wisdom. It won’t happen overnight, but with faith and intentional effort, families can become what God intended: sanctuaries of love, faith, and holiness, pointing the world to him.

The Biggest Take-Home . . . .

The family is a sacred gift from God, designed to reflect his love, order, and holiness. Yet, we have strayed far from this ideal by turning our backs on God and allowing distractions to shape our lives. Despite this, God’s love remains unwavering—he calls us back to him, longing to restore our families and hearts to the beauty of his design. Through humility, faith, and intentional love, we can reclaim the sanctity of family life and bring Christ back to the center of our homes.

Prayer For The Restoration Of Family (As God Intended It To Be)

Heavenly Father,
You are the Creator of all, the One who designed family to be a reflection of your perfect love. In your wisdom, you made the family a place of safety, unity, and holiness—a sanctuary where your presence could dwell. But, Lord, we confess that we have strayed from your design. We have sought our own ways, turned away from your truth, and allowed the world to shape what only you can sustain.

Father, we come before you with hearts humbled and broken, pleading for your mercy and grace. Restore what has been lost. Heal what has been wounded. Rebuild what has been broken. Bring families back to the foundation you intended: rooted in faith, bound by love, and centered on Christ.

Lord Jesus, you are the heart of every home. You are the glue that holds us together when life pulls us apart. Come into our families with your healing power. Restore relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters. Teach us to forgive as you forgive, to love as you love, and to serve as you serve. May we put you at the center of all we do, making our homes places of prayer, peace, and grace.

Holy Spirit, breathe new life into families today. Where there is division, bring unity. Where there is despair, bring hope. Where there is apathy, ignite a fire of faith. Let your presence be felt in every home, reminding us that you are the source of all love and the answer to every need.

Father, we pray for parents, that they may courageously take up the mantle of teaching their children your Word. We pray for children, that their hearts may be open to your truth and shielded from the lies of the world. And we pray for society, that we may turn away from the distractions and deceptions that harm the family and instead embrace your design with humility and trust.

Lord, we know that with you, nothing is impossible. No matter how far we have fallen, your love remains steadfast, and your grace is sufficient to restore all things. So we surrender our families to you, asking for your blessing and your guidance. Make us lights in the darkness, witnesses to the power of your love and the beauty of your plan.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King. Amen.