The New Testament optional reading for today’s Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph comes from Paul (Col 3:12-17).  Check out this lengthy list of traits included in this short dense passage to which Christians must aspire:

+ heartfelt compassion
+ kindness
+ humility
+ gentleness
+ patience
+ bear with one another
+ forgive one another
+ love (the bond of perfection)
+ let the peace of Christ control your hearts
+ be thankful
+ let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
+ in all wisdom teach and admonish one another
+ sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
+ whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,                    giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A finer set of resolutions (being that time of the year) you will not find.  This will keep us busy for the new year and for the rest of our lives.

Let our encounter with Christ shape us as it did Paul.

Bartolome Esteban Murillo – Conversion of St Paul, 1675