Behold the Wonder: The Coming of Christ Through Mary's Eyes

by Catherine Cavadini, Anastassia Cassady (Illustrator)

This Advent, awaken your imagination and behold the breathtaking wonder of God’s love through the eyes of Mary.

Behold the Wonder invites you to experience Advent in a fresh and immersive way—by stepping into the world of scripture and witnessing the story unfold around you. Imagine breathing in the scent of lilies at the annunciation. Envision Mary embracing Elizabeth in joyful wonder. Pause to contemplate the hushed awe of the shepherds on that first Christmas night. Picture yourself traveling with the Magi beneath a guiding star, drawn to the radiant light of Christ.

Theology professor Catherine Cavadini and artist Anastassia Cassady blend the ancient monastic practices of lectio divina (divine reading) and visio divina (divine seeing) to lead you on a contemplative journey, inviting you to encounter Jesus as Mary did—with wonder, love, and trust.

This beautifully crafted full-color book immerses you in the story of Christ’s birth through vivid storytelling and stunning original artwork. With Mary as your guide, you’ll walk the path from the splendor of the Annunciation to the humble beauty of Bethlehem and the joyful adoration of the Magi. Each Sunday, from the beginning of Advent through the Feast of the Epiphany, you’ll find an invitation

Prepare the Way—Set the stage for prayer with a thoughtful reflectionBehold the Word—Enter into scripture and God’s unfolding planConsider the Scene—Encounter the Word personally through lectio divinaPray with Lectio Divina—Engage in imaginative prayer inspired by scriptureContemplate with Visio Divina—Meditate on original artwork in a visual reflectionFollow Mary Today—Be inspired by saints who embodied Mary’s faith and trust
 This Advent, let Mary lead you to a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper encounter with Christ. As you journey with her, you’ll find your heart prepared to welcome Jesus anew—not just in the manger, but in your life, your prayer, and the quiet joy of Christmas morning and beyond.

128 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2025

Reviews

[Shari Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Behold the Wonder is a beautifully produced Advent devotional that invites readers into a contemplative, sensory-rich experience of the Christmas story. Catherine Cavadini pairs Scripture with imaginative prayer, drawing heavily on the ancient monastic practices of lectio divina and visio divina, while the artwork by Anastassia Cassady adds a visually stunning layer to the experience.

That said, this book ultimately wasn’t for me — and that’s more a matter of fit than quality. In hindsight, I likely should have paid closer attention to the description before choosing it. While the concept is lovely, the book is very much written from a Catholic perspective. As someone who is not Catholic, I found it difficult to fully connect with certain elements, particularly the theological framework and devotional approach that are clearly intended for a Catholic audience.

The structure of the book follows the Advent season through Epiphany with short weekly readings, reflections, prayers, and visual meditations. For readers who appreciate guided, contemplative prayer rooted in Catholic tradition — especially those who value Mary as a central spiritual guide — this will likely be a meaningful and enriching resource.

However, because of its specific focus and theological lens, this is not a book I would personally recommend broadly. I would recommend it specifically and intentionally to Catholic readers who are looking for a deeply reflective, art-infused Advent devotional.

In summary, Behold the Wonder is thoughtfully written, beautifully illustrated, and clearly created with care and reverence. It simply wasn’t aligned with my own faith background or devotional preferences. For the right reader, though, it could be a truly special way to walk through the Advent season with intention and wonder.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold the Wonder is a contemplative Advent and Christmas guide, using lectio divina and visio divina, that helps you meditate and experience the season through the eyes of Mary. There are readings for the beginning of Advent, each week of Advent, Christmas Day, Solemnity of Mary, and Epiphany. There is a consistent pattern to how each chapter is structured, allowing you to settle into a rhythm. First, a background is provided, then Scriptures (most are OT as this is what Mary would have known), a guide for how to meditate, lectio divina, visio divina, and then a conclusion that incorporates a story from the life of a saint. I love that it is so rich in content, provides an opportunity for deep communion and growth, while ushering the reader into a fuller experience of Advent and Christmas. I am genuinely looking forward to using this guide in my Advent reflections this year.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Carol McHale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book allowed me to put my Advent in a whole new perspective. I have never done well with lectio divina and was never formally introduce to visio divina. This book gave me my first taste of success with both! The format is forgiving - you don't need to read every single day, only weekly. The readings for lectio divina spoke to my heart and my imagination. It was a "wow" moment for me. The pictures, at first glance, were ok. But once I actually stopped to look at the details and used them as the background for the lectio divina, they exploded in my mind's eye! This book was the best gift I gave myself in 2025.

[Carol A · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Saints, A Family Story, I was hoping that this duo would come back for more. Behold the Wonder does not disappoint! I couldn't wait until Advent to take a peek. Cavadini and Cassady provide a welcome blend of theological context, sacred scripture, Christian imagination, invitation to prayer, and contemplation through compelling and accessible language and beautiful imagery. If you are looking for Advent reflections that invite you into a deeper relationship with Christ through Mary, look no further. Behold the Wonder offers both with substance and beauty.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was featured on display at our St. PlacidPriory bookshop. Since October is the month of the Rosary, I read it now rather than waiting. Mary brings me peace. Time spent with Mary reminds me that even with our government shutting down and our country in peril, God is in still present. Mary always brings me closer to God. This book was a gift to myself, a respite of faith and hope.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was too much going on in this devotional. It felt like a lot to read each week, and didn’t really draw me into prayer. I had a hard time seeing the connections between the different sections in each chapter. The “lectio divina” part is not actually lectio but more imaginative prayer. The readings are stories made up by the author, not Scripture passages.