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Christmas Season · The Holy Family of Jesus: Mary and Joseph · Year C

1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 or Colossians 3:12-21

Clothed in Compassion

December 26, 2027

The Holy Family, Raphael
The Holy Family, Raphael, 1518Musée du Louvre, Paris
Mary lifts the child Jesus from his cradle as he reaches up to her, with Joseph, Elizabeth, the infant John and angels gathered close around.See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.RaphaelThe Renaissance master of Urbino and Rome, painter of the Vatican rooms and of many beloved Madonnas.Musée du Louvre, ParisThe Louvre in Paris, the most visited art museum in the world.Musée du Louvre, Paris
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:41-52Lk 2:41-52
Second Reading1 John 3:1-2, 21-241 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24 orCol. 3:12-21Col 3:12-21
First Reading1 Sam. 1:20-22, 24-281 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 orSir. 3:2-6, 12-14Sir 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial PsalmPs. 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (cf. 5a)Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (cf. 5a)

Overview & Insights

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:14)

Paul tells the Colossian believers to clothe themselves in the virtues that reflect Christ, then extends that instruction into the ordering of the Christian household. The passage suits the Holy Family feast because it grounds family life in compassion, forgiveness, and mutual submission.

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Take it further: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 or Colossians 3:12-21

Commentary

Commentary on Colossians 3:12-17Commentary on Col 3:12-17 Working Preacher

Working Preacher's Christmas-season reading of the household virtues Paul lists.

Colossians 3:12-17Col 3:12-17 Center for Excellence in Preaching

Preaching notes on putting on compassion as the mark of the new self.

Colossians 3 CommentaryCol 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

A full chapter walkthrough covering both the virtue list and household instructions.

Colossians 3:12 CommentariesCol 3:12 Commentaries BibleHub

A side by side library of classic commentaries on the verse.

Colossians 3 (Barnes' Notes)Col 3 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Barnes' concise notes on the chapter's ethical instructions.

Colossians 3 CommentaryCol 3 Commentary Precept Austin

A devotional, cross-reference heavy walkthrough of the chapter.

Colossians Bible StudyCol Bible Study Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre's Catholic teaching resources, reached from the Catholic Productions homepage.

Background & Word Study

Colossians 3:12 InterlinearCol 3:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the virtue list Paul commands the church to put on.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Colossians 3Catena on Col 3 Catena

Patristic comments on the chapter collected verse by verse.

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