Joseph rose, took the child and his mother, and departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth so that what had been spoken about the child through the prophets might be fulfilled. On this First Sunday following the great feast of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Holy Family of Nazareth: the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It is a feast that is celebrated as part of the Christmas festivities because after the birth of Jesus, the lives of Mary and Joseph – as are the lives of each man and woman living in the Common Era – were to be changed forever. Like in any human family, the birth of Jesus changed the configuration of how Mary and Joseph related in their house. It was no longer the home of Joseph and his spouse Mary. A new relational arm was added in this household. Mary was now both a spouse and a mother. Joseph was now Mary’s spouse and Jesus’ father. In addition, the birth of Jesus forever changed the lives of Joseph and Mary in a unique and distinct way. For after the birth of Jesus, Mary came to be known to posterity as the Mother of God whereas Joseph became the human father and guardian of God’s only begotten Son. And most importantly, as every parent knows, having Jesus in their lives became a learning experience for Mary and Joseph, something that we believe enabled them to come to understand the special calling that the Lord had given them. Mary had to learn how to be a mother to a son that she could hardly “understand,” and Joseph had to be contented with occupying a “diminishing” place in the family as Jesus gradually became the “poster” face of the family.
Referring to the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as holy does not arise from the fact that Jesus, God-made-man, was part of this family. It would be presumptuous of us to think that the “holiness” of Jesus as the Son of God somehow rubbed off and influenced Mary and Joseph and in so doing turned them into holy individuals themselves. While it is true that there was no single moment in the life of Jesus when he was not fully human and fully divine, as a son to Mary and Joseph, he led a life typical of any boy in his village. This family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, experienced all the typical growing pains that any human family undergoes. However, it is how the three members of this family dealt with their challenges that make them not only a holy family but also a model for all Christian (and as a matter of fact, human) families to imitate. 
The Gospel Reading for today recounts the flight to and from Egypt that the family had to make in order to keep Jesus safe from the murderous Herod. As if giving birth to Jesus in a stable was not enough, even before the baby Jesus and his mother were strong enough for any journey, they had to make a cross-country journey to Egypt. While Joseph was able to secure the services of a donkey, it was still a rough and tedious trip to make. It must have been a trying moment for Joseph as he worked to ensure the comfort and safety of the two. But the safe arrival in Egypt did not mark the end of the holy family’s tribulations since Herod was still determined to kill the baby Jesus. As such, Joseph had to keep balance between staying out of spotlight while still ensuring that he provided for the family. And since the Gospel accounts do not record any incidences during the family’s sojourn in Egypt, we believe that Joseph succeeded in the role for which God had chosen him: to be a father and guardian to the infant Jesus. 
The account of the holy family’s return from Egypt and consequent settling in Nazareth is the last time we hear about Joseph in Matthew’s Gospel. However, we believe that until his death, Joseph 
never wavered in his responsibility as a father to Jesus and spouse to Mary. Joseph worked hard not only to provide a home for the family but he also ensured that Jesus grew up as a responsible member of his community. He introduced Jesus to his carpentry trade (Jesus was known as a carpenter/carpenter’s son [cf. Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55]). Joseph might not have fully understood why God had chosen him to be a father and guardian to God’s son, but he faithfully carried to the end his responsibility. Joseph was able to achieve this through the help of Mary who remained a loving mother to Jesus and spouse to Joseph. On his part, Jesus – although gradually coming to understand that he was not only Mary’s son but a son and brother to many – remained a true son to May and Joseph. The Gospels report that even when the parents failed to understand what his mission was, he never “lost his cool.” Even in those moments when he had to “school” them on what his mission was, he did so with humility and kindness and remained obedient to them. And this is why the favor of the Lord rested upon him.