Gaze Upon Jesus

To say that I devoured this book would be a gross understatement. What a beautiful study! I loved the way that it was written and the way that each chapter was laid out and set up. (When a book begins with a "How to Use This Book," there is a good chance that you're in for something good.) GAZE UPON JESUS was the perfect companion to use along with my Bible, to go deeper into God's word and my relationship with Jesus. The book itself felt like a "coffee date" with the writers. As if we were casually and intimately discussing the Jesus that we love, while digging through Scripture and learning about Visio Devina. (Which I had never heard of!) My only regret is not having the physical copy of the book in front of me, to better appreciate the beautiful images. Highly, highly recommend.

The remarkable group of women who gave us Walk In Her Sandals for meditation at Easter have given us a new devotional with the same fortuitous combination of scripture study, fiction, and thoughtful introspection. This new book looks at the women involved in the biblical accounts of Christ’s birth and childhood for contemplation during Advent.

Each study centers around a virtue—humility, patience, charity, reverence and prudence—modeled by the biblical women and how they should be exemplified in our own lives. The fictional stories of Mary, Elizabeth, a servant girl at the inn, and the Prophetess Anna bring the character vividly to life and help us to understand the historical and cultural context of Christ’s coming as well as the deep emotions women like us bring to the events. One section of each chapter, called visio divina, contemplates fine art portraying the annunciation, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, etc. Dr. Elizabeth Lov directs our attention to details in the art that bring out the emotions and reactions of the people represented. As in the first book, the various authors and approaches come together in a wonderful unity of purpose.

Although Jesus’ mother Mary is present in the story of Christ’s passion and resurrection, she is much more central to the biblical stories of his birth and childhood. For that reason the differences between Catholic and Protestant points-of-view are more evident in this Advent devotional than in the authors’ previous work. However, the Protestant woman who can look past Catholic terminology, emphases, and occasional use of the Apochrypha will find much to consider and apply to her own life as she prepares herself to worship our one Lord Jesus Christ at this time of year.

[I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in return for my honest opinion.]

Have you ever wondered how Mary felt at the Annunciation? Have you ever wondered how Elizabeth felt? This book is full of lovely stories and exercises to help women realise the significance of Mary and to follow her example. These exercises include many examples of the ancient spiritual practice of visio divina using beautiful medieval paintings and there are also discussions for groups and refelctions on praying.

Many people today regard Mary as passive and submissive, but she is actually a figure of "cosmic significance," according to this book by Kelly M. Wahlquiest, and, in choosing to be like her, we can become more powerful as well, and live lives of freedom and authenticity. One way to do this is to imagine going back in time, and imagining what it was like for her. This us to see Jesus as she did and to be closer to God in our hearts and lives. This is a book worth reading for all Christians, not only Catholics, although Catholics may find it easier to understand.

I found the exercises of visio divina difficult on my black and white kindle, so I am certainly thinking of buying Gaze Upon Jesus.

I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review

An excellent Advent read for your book club or Bible study, but I wouldn't limit it to that. What I like about this particular format is the variety of ways they approach each part of the Christmas story. Devotional, imaginative telling, theological insights, prayer, application, Visio Divina and questions. This book was written by a Catholic group of women.

Gaze Upon Jesus is the *perfect* tool for a Christian woman's Advent study. In six sections examining six virtues, the reader meditates on a separate event (i.e, the Annunciation, the Visitation) starting with scripture but including analysis, a fictional story to bring the events to life, reflection, group questions, and the study of sacred art. The addition of the artwork and Stephanie Landsem's wondeful storytelling set this apart from other studies.

Ideal for groups but fruitful for individuals too!