Behold the Wonder: A Marian Journey through Advent

Behold the Wonder: A Marian Journey through Advent

By Marge Hynes, Writer

Often, I find myself returning to Luke’s Gospel. Luke moves from the Annunciation straight into the Visitation, which has long been my favorite passage. Mary—likely only fourteen to sixteen years old—setting out in haste into the hill country, carrying within her the hidden Christ. When she enters the house of Zechariah and greets Elizabeth, Scripture tells us that John, safe in his mother’s womb, leaps, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth cries out in a loud voice, blessing Mary and the Child she bears, and Mary responds with the Magnificat, her great proclamation of praise. Even before Jesus has drawn His first earthly breath, Mary’s soul is rejoicing in God her Savior. Love is palpable and pure.

In the margin of my Bible, I’ve written a line beside this passage: “sunlight drifts across a kitchen table through an open window. It is silent, warm, unhurried, filling every corner. Steady, all-consuming, lavishing us with His presence.”

This same sense of wonder threads beautifully through Behold the Wonder: The Coming of Christ Through Mary’s Eyes by Catherine Cavadini and Anastassia Cassady, available now from Ave Maria Press. Descriptive and beautifully illustrated, it invites you to enter into Advent as Mary did: with wonder, courage, and a love that watches and listens for the unfolding of God’s promise.

Seeing Advent through Mary’s Eyes

Cavadini, professor and director of the MA program at the University of Notre Dame, and Cassady, a skilled painter and art teacher, have created a work that beautifully unites theology and art. Behold the Wonder draws on the traditions of lectio divina, the slow, reflective reading of Scripture, and visio divina, a prayerful engagement with sacred art. Each chapter moves through six key parts:

1. Prepare the Way: A short introduction that sets the scene and tone.
2. Behold the Word: A passage of Scripture that anchors the reflection.
3. Consider the Scene: A moment for imaginative prayer in the Ignatian spirit.
4. Pray with Lectio Divina: Enter the Word slowly and personally.
5. Contemplate with Visio Divina: Ponder the accompanying artwork.
6. Follow Mary Today: End with a story or teaching from a saint who models Marian discipleship.

Together, these practices lead readers into a Marian contemplation of the mysteries surrounding Christ’s coming. It’s a lovely framework; structured yet spacious, offering both guidance and room for silence, the two essentials of contemplative prayer. The love, care, and, above all, the prayer poured into this little guide are evident on every page! 

The Many Colors of the Season

Week by week, the book walks you through the heart of Advent and Christmas, from the hope of early Advent to the joy of Christmas Day and the light of the Epiphany. The eight chapters follow the Church’s liturgical calendar:

1. Behold the Incarnation: As Advent Begins
2. Behold Christ Our Hope: First Sunday of Advent
3. Behold Christ Our Peace: Second Sunday of Advent
4. Behold Christ Our Joy: Third Sunday of Advent
5. Behold Christ Our Love: Fourth Sunday of Advent
6. Behold the Holy Birth: Christmas Day
7. Behold Our Mother: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
8. Behold Our King: Solemnity of the Epiphany

Anastassia Cassady’s artwork is particularly special. Each image complements the lectio divina reflections, guiding readers naturally into visio divina and allowing us to linger in the scene with Mary. My personal favorite appears in chapter seven: Mama Mary smiling at her sweet baby boy, Jesus, as she holds Him close. She looks radiant and joyful, her face beaming with a mother’s love. The image invites you to dwell on the depth of her affection and devotion, and to feel the tenderness as she gives Jesus His name on the eighth day, in keeping with Jewish tradition.

How to Pray with This Book

If you want to get the most out of this Advent meditation guide, here are a few simple practices I would recommend:

• Set aside quiet time. Even ten or fifteen minutes is enough.
• Keep a notebook nearby. Jot down insights, questions, or prayers that come up.
• Pair the readings with the Rosary or other Marian devotions to add another layer to your prayer.
• Read with a friend or small group. Talking through your reflections can open up new perspectives!
• Revisit your favorite meditations. Certain reflections and paintings can reveal new insight each time you return.

Behold the Wonder is an invitation for readers to slow down, see Scripture through Mary’s eyes, and find moments of reflection amid the season’s hustle and bustle. Whether you’re looking for a daily Advent practice, a way to deepen your Marian devotions, or a creative prayer resource, this book helps you pause, reflect, and experience the story of Christ’s coming in a fresh, new way.

Alma Redemptoris Mater
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

[Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people’s cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.]

Visit Ave Maria Press here to purchase Behold the Wonder. 

Saints is another book by Cavadini with her father, John, also illustrated by Cassady. It is available from Ignatius Press here. 

For more on Ave Maria Press’ wealth of Advent-related book, keep an eye out for our upcoming review of three of their new devotionals next week!

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With over eight years of experience and a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing, Marge Hynes is a dynamic writer whose portfolio spans SEO-driven copywriting, journalism, and marketing—a versatile skill set that allows her to craft compelling content for Paloma & Fig’s projects.

Marge’s Catholic faith serves as the cornerstone of her work. She approaches storytelling with thoughtfulness and a deep appreciation for the Lord’s own creative power. Her love of the written word shines through in every project, helping clients articulate their message with clarity, heart, and purpose.

When she’s not writing, Marge can be found leading praise and worship, diving into theological books, or exploring the great outdoors with her loyal dog, Augustine (Auggie for short).