Behold: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation

by Miriam James Heidland, Josiah Henley (Illustrator)

Let the Holy Family be your light through Advent as you receive the healing power of Christ. In this beautiful guided journal for prayer and meditation, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT—author of the bestselling book Restore —will walk with you as you explore familial wounds with the help of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Behold features stunning original art by Josiah Henley of Heart of IESVS. Free weekly companion videos, a downloadable discussion guide, and other resources make this book perfect for parish-wide, individual, and book club use leading up to Christmas. Each week of Behold will focus on a different theme that you can connect to your life in a practical   Each day you will journey deeper into the meaning of Advent with a meditation, reflection questions, a prayer, and journaling space.

Genres: Faith, Catholic, Religion, Spirituality

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2022

Reviews

[Ann Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was just ok for me - I loved her Lent study, and maybe I just wasn’t in a good head space this Advent to tackle parent wounds. But it didn’t seem like a good dive while preparing for Christmas, which is already an emotional time for me right now. Maybe I’ll revisit this in the future.

[Annaliese Budd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful reflection that mirrors the Holy Family during the Advent season. My only complaint is that it got a bit repetitive.

[Arantxa Sánchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como que si ayudo pero a veces como que equis.

Sigo creyendo que el formato es muy muy bueno y muy práctico. Funciona, solo que esta vez el material no me ayudó mucho, la última semana si me ayudó mucho más que las otras a aterrizar y recordar el por qué del tiempo litúrgico.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the Lent journal Sr. Miriam wrote. This one was good, but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. A bit repetitive in feeling throughout the prompts. Some were absolutely wonderful, but overall, just wasn’t quite what I had hoped for.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our parish and my kids' junior/senior high school read "Behold" for Advent this year.

7th grade girl: It was good. I think we should do it again next year.

10th and 12th grade boys: It wasn't that good. I didn't like it. It was repetitive.

College freshman and sophomore girls (because our parish had extra copies): The Mary and Child Jesus weeks were really good. My thoughts strayed and I didn't end up thinking about what they were trying to get me to think about. I have a friend who I am going to give it to because I think she could benefit from it.

And I thought it was...inconsistent. Some days the reflections required a lot of work and other days I had nothing. The week of Mary was the hardest for me because I thought of my relationship with my mother - of her relationship with her mother - and of myself as a mother...especially since I knew 5 of my kids were reflecting on their relationship with me.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend? Yes! Sr. Miriam nails it again!! I highly recommend playing the videos made for each week as well. Beware that one needs to dedicate a significant amount of time in prayer for this book to have lasting effects.

This book was absolutely beautiful to pray with during the Advent Season (but truly, it could be read during any liturgical season!). Upon starting it, I had no idea what I would be getting into. My sister-in-law invited me to read it with her and other family members. We didn't use the group leader resources; still, the daily reflections, prompts, and weekly videos were still powerful.

Sr. Miriam does a great job in connecting the reader to the Holy Family. The four weeks are broken down so that one reflects on a member of the Holy Family in conjunctions with your own earthly family members: Week 1 - Mary / Mother, Week 2 - Joseph / Father, Week 3 - Christ Child / Childhood, and Week 3 - The Holy Family / Family. I noticed each week ended with a reflective culmination relating to the triduum - Thursdays seemed to be focusing on the good (Holy Thursday / last supper), Fridays focused on the difficulties (Good Friday / the cross), and Saturdays were focused on the healing (resurrection).

In the best way, this book was personally very heavy and a lot to process. I felt this book made me really ponder wounds and see my past more clearly, which ultimately allowed further healing in my heart and develop a greater closeness in my relationships with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

[Tom Kopff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book in Advent, but did not finish until after Christmas. I liked the approach of focusing on family relationships and relating this to the holy family. The book gives pages for reflection for each day. Sr. Miriam even offers videos for each of the four weeks which are quite helpful. Based on how much i liked this book I have purchased her book of Lenten reflections. Looking forward to it!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.
I really liked this book or more the journey I went on with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus because of it. After attending a Healing Retreat with Sr. Miriam, this was a great book to have going into Advent. It was easy to do everyday and I feel like I now know Mary and Joseph more personally and like I can spend time with them whenever I want. Doing this with mental prayer was so good for me. It's also such a beautiful book with beautiful illustrations.

[Sue Leick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always what we need

This book is not just for Advent. What we all desire is a relationship with Jesus. He is the only solution to our heartache, loneliness, and feelings of emptiness. Sr. Miriam always addresses these issues with love, compassion and honesty. Behold: A Guided Advent Journal was a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas!!!

[David Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 ⭐

I had higher hopes for this devotional, but the book kind of fell flat. The reflections on Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the Holy family weren't quite what I was expecting and seemed to bounce around without any rhyme or reason. Sad to say, but there are better Advent devotionals out there that have more direction and meaning.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and one half stars. There are some good meditations here but there are also meditations that I had a difficult time relating to. Some I didn’t feel were helping me wait for and anticipate Christmas or Christ’s Second Coming.

[Denisele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our parish was reading this in small groups for Advent. I could tell by the blurb that it didn't sound like me but agreed to read it based on friends who really like other things Sr. Miriam has written. Should've stuck with my gut as this one just didn't resonate with me.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Miriam wrote beautifully through the eyes of the Holy Family and our family. At times, memories could be painful, tearful, or heartwarming. Book paired with weekly videos on Advent and our journey together towards Christmas.

[Sophia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find it particularly useful, and the questions were oddly phrased. I wasn't sure how to answer a good number, and the rest didn't spark any kind of journaling desire in me despite the fact that I enjoy journaling.

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some good reflections in it. I liked the walking with a member of the Holy Family and then the whole family each week. It was a worthwhile study, but I liked Sr. Miriam's Lent one better.

[Mary Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good, but found it a bit depressing. It kept suggesting that we have issues that are not pleasant and encouraged the reader to analyze. It is not what i was expecting.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent meditations

[awesome.nerd.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Advent book and journal. It was great! I finished weeks after advent. Yet, I’m glad I did. Good reflections!

[Allyson Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved using this to pray through the advent season. It’s different than any other advent companion journal I have ever used.

[Gil Michelini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the better Advents devotionals for me because the Lord has blessed Sister with a gift of healing, and I needed healing with my mother this year. I got it in the first week. If you are struggling with your mother, your father, your childhood, or your family, I recommend this devotional to help you let go of your hurt and allow God to heal you.

[Amy Mitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

quiet

It was a quiet and loving book to prepare for Christmas. Easy read. Great way to reflect. Highly recommend during advent