We’re in the middle of a season where it’s just natural to focus on family in a particular way; we go out of way to get together with extended family, we spend lots of energy coming up with the “perfect gift” for our beloved family members, the Feast of the Holy Family is coming up right after Christmas, and it’s a wonderful time think about the example of the Holy Family!
In our own family life, this can be a good time to look back to assess how we’ve done in the past year with regards to growing together in the Faith:
- Do you know more about the Catholic Faith than you did this time last year?
- How’s your family prayer life? Have you grown is consistency or depth?
- Do you feel closer to Christ?
- Are there ways you can grow even more next year?
The first activity in this lesson is just a simple family discussion on all these points. While you’re talking about things you’d like to do in the next year, be sure to ask your kids for suggestions. Not only will they be more motivated to implement their own ideas, but you may be surprised to hear some of the great ideas they may have. It’s no secret that God “uses” kids for the sanctification of their parents!
The other activity in this lesson has to do with fostering appreciation for one another. It’s really quite simple – there’s a card for each family member. Write your name at the top of your card and then pass them around and write something you really appreciate about each other. When you get your card back at the end of the activity, it’ll be filled with the nice things everyone has written about you. Obviously, you’ll have to help your little ones write, but be sure to include them too. Not only does this activity set a very positive tone in what can be a stressful time of year, but it helps everyone focus on their blessings, and I think you’ll find that you all save them to refer to again and again.
The family is a privileged community called to achieve a “sharing of thought and common deliberation by the spouses as well as their eager cooperation as parents in the children’s upbringing.” CCC 2206
Family Formation 