Photo Flash: Benjamin Bratt Guest Stars on ABC's MODERN FAMILY Tonight

On the January 4th episode of ABC's MODERN FAMILY entitled "Lifetime Supply", actor Benjamin Bratt returns in his role of Javier, Manny's infamously unreliable dad. In the episode, Javier pops up unannounced and takes Manny to the horse races for a belated birthday celebration.  Also on the show, after having a doctor's visit but then missing the call with the test results, Phil automatically jumps to conclusions and starts saying his goodbyes. Meanwhile, a subtle competition ensues when Mitchell brings home an environmental law award and it becomes a game of who has the bigger trophy.  The episode airs at 9:00 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.

Critically acclaimed and lauded for revitalizing the television sitcom, "Modern Family" is also quickly cementing itself as a culturally defining series. A recipient of the 2010 Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, "Modern Family" returns to the ABC Television Network for its third season.

Jay Pritchett sits at the head of a large and unconventional family. Now in his second marriage to his gorgeous young wife, Gloria, Jay has been given something of a second chance. Still, old habits are hard to break, and it's trial by fire as he tries to adapt to life with the same passion and vigor that Gloria exhibits, which are matched by her precocious 12-year-old son, Manny. There are some Culture Clashes, a few misunderstandings, but also plenty of sweet victories along the way.

Jay's grown daughter, Claire, and her husband, Phil, are the proud parents of three kids with whom they want that open, healthy, honest relationship. It's not always easy, especially when you have Haley, a teenage daughter who's growing up a little fast, Alex, a too-smart-for-her-own-good middle daughter and Luke, a scatterbrained boy. Add to this that Phil is just a big kid himself, even if he does always have the best intentions. Claire is the anchor, trying her best to run a tight ship and determined not to let her kids have the rebellious childhood she had.

Claire's brother and Jay's grown son, Mitchell, is busy raising an adopted daughter, Lily, with his long term partner, Cameron. Opposites attract in this household, with Cameron having a wonderfully big personality and maybe a flare for the dramatic, while Mitchell is more buttoned-down. They balance each other out, and these doting fathers are relishing their roles as parents developing their own little family.

These three unique families give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted, embrace of the modern family.

The series stars Ed O'Neill as Jay, Julie Bowen as Claire, Ty Burrell as Phil, Sofía Vergara as Gloria, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell, Eric Stonestreet as Cameron, Sarah Hyland as Haley, Nolan Gould as Luke, Ariel Winter as Alex, Rico Rodriguez as Manny and Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily.

View photos from the upcoming episode below!

Photo credit: Peter "Hopper" Stone/ABC