The seasons of Advent and Christmas can bring up difficult family dynamics in our hearts, as well as a deep desire for a more whole and holy family. In today’s episode, Jake and Dr. Bob welcome Sr. Miriam James Heidland onto the podcast to talk about her new Advent devotional, “Behold” which touches on these dynamics through relationship with the Holy Family. The Holy Family provides a healing lens for us to discover new depths and completeness in our understanding of motherhood, fatherhood, childhood and our own family life. Links to the Behold weekly videos can be found in the resources section below. 

Key Quote:

The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowship with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life - CCC 533

Key Points:

• Why Sister loves speaking about healing
• Family dynamics around Advent and the Christmas season
• Sister’s new Advent book and how it draws us into relationship with the Holy Family and our own family relationships
• Reflections on Mary’s motherhood
• Ideas on how to tangibly connect with the Holy Family
• The analogy of radio waves and how we can tune into the Lord’s kindness and tenderness
• Jake, Bob and Sister share about sculpting the Holy Family and the safety that it creates
• The importance of receiving our identity in different stages of life (ie. husband, wife, parent) before giving from it
• The difference between someone who is simply giving to give, and someone who is giving in order to receive
• How can we embody the Holy Family for one another?

Practical Application/ Reflection Questions:

1. Which member of the Holy Family are you most drawn to? 
2. Allow yourself to be loved by the Holy Family this Advent, especially inviting Mary to mother you and St. Joseph to father you.
3. Pray about how you can embody the Holy Family for others in your family this coming Christmas season.

Resources: 

• Behold: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation, Sr. Miriam James Heidland (book)
• Trailer for Behold Advent series (video)
• Behold: Introduction (video)

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Audio editing by Forte Catholic