Throughout the history of the Church, the faithful have loved Mary as both Mother of God and Mother of the Church. We honor her generous “yes” to God. Yet when we turn to the gospels, we also find ourselves curious about her humanity — her thoughts, her feelings, her personality. What was it like to speak with the angel Gabriel? To carry Jesus in her womb? To give birth to him, cradle him in her arms, and kiss him for the very first time? What did she feel on the journey to Bethlehem, during the quiet of that manger night, when shepherds came rejoicing, and when Magi approached with their gifts?
Advent is precisely this season of wonder: a time to behold with awe the mystery of God who draws near to us in love — born of a woman, held in her arms.
Behold the Wonder: The Coming of Christ Though Mary’s Eyes by Catherine Cavadini and Anastassia Cassady invites us to dwell in that wonder more deeply. Through eight meditations, we journey with Mary through the story of the Incarnation — Gabriel’s announcement, the visit to Elizabeth, the preparations for the birth of Jesus, the journey to Bethlehem, the Nativity, and the visits from the shepherds and Magi.
“In the eight meditations of this book,” writes Cavadini, “we place our contemplation under Mary’s care. She, like us, longed to behold the One who is God-with-us. She, too, grew in faith and understanding as she journeyed toward that first Christmas. As we journey with Mary, she will nurture our desire to see and respond to God with a humble and open yes. Through the Incarnation, she not only became God’s mother, but our mother too — mothering Christ for us and in us, and for all humankind.”
Lectio and Visio Divina
Each meditation uses lectio divina (divine reading) and visio divina (divine seeing), supported and structured by six simple steps:
Step 1—Prepare the Way: A brief introduction to themes, context, and imagery.
Step 2—Behold the Word: Read a Scripture passage that anchors the meditation.
Step 3—Consider the Scene: Enter into the Gospel moment with Scripture and Tradition.
Step 4—Pray with Lectio Divina: Open your mind and heart to God through the Word.
Step 5—Contemplate with Visio Divina: Dwell prayerfully with original artwork by Anastassia Cassady to let Mary shape your gaze.
Step 6—Follow Mary Today: Encounter a saint whose life embodies the same faith and love Mary models.
“Our hope,” write Cavadini and Cassady, “is that these meditations will deepen prayer and increase rejoicing at the thought of God’s love for us and his unfailing presence among us. May Mary become the mother of our beholding of wonder this season and always. Walk with her. See through her eyes. She will prepare your heart to receive her Son in majesty, peace, and joyful hope — on Christmas morning, and far beyond.”
Want to learn more? See Behold the Wonder at Ave Maria Press, or wherever fine books are sold.
This article is brought to you in partnership with Ave Maria Press.
