I really enjoyed this book focusing on advent and drawing into the season of waiting and hoping and encountering God with us during this time. I am not a catholic and was not raised in a liturgical church however as I am getting older I am finding aspects of that faith drawing me in with it's beauty and rhymes and this book would be a great way to bring those rhythms into the advent season which is often so busy and where we lose sight of the true reason for us doing the things we do. I would be happy to recommend this book to people like myself looking for a little more rhythm and peace in the season of advent.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

What a beautiful little book! From the tender icon on the cover to Heather's conversational tone, I was drawn into the book and in turn, into conversation with Jesus.
As a lifelong Catholic, I am used to the focus of Advent being reflecting on Jesus's coming as a baby in Bethlehem and preparing for His future coming in Glory. In this book Heather gives us a focus that is both rooted in Tradition and fresh. The focus is on Jesus as Emmanuel - God with us, now, as we are, in the midst of our life and need. What a beautiful way to spend each day of Advent, pondering how Jesus wants to come to us, and praying through all that we let get in the way of this. Heather's daily words and reflection questions lead us to take inventory of our hearts and lives, and prayerfully and honestly offer these to the Lord. She leads us through the process of deeper healing and conversion through encounter with Emmanuel.
This book is very accessible. Heather writes in a way that is genuine and invites the reader to that same honesty with God in the reflections. Each daily meditation and reflection questions are short, so it's easy to do daily without feeling burdensome. And yet, though it is just bite-size each day, it is somehow "meaty", substantive and impactful. I found myself pondering throughout the day what I read and prayed in that morning's reflection.
And what a gift the Litany of Encounter is! I will continue to pray this long after Advent is come and gone.

With her gentle, candid, and oh-so-realistic and relatable storytelling and writing style, Heather Khym leads us into the quiet reaches of our hearts with Encountering Emmanuel. Each week brings a new theme and invitation to Christ - save me! bring me into the divine life! Show me how to live! Show me God’s love! Each day's reflection consists of a scripture passage, a short reflection written by Khym, reflection questions, and a short prayer,

I love how each reflection addressed a unique part of the human heart and experience, from our struggles with ourselves and our families to our longing for peace and healing. I can easily see how one might meditate and sit with the reflection of the day long after the day has passed - there is something for everyone here, many different opportunities for the Lord to speak to the reader. The gorgeous illustrations that accompany each week's introductory pages are colorful and full of character - certainly worthy of display on a bulletin board or wall!

The Litany of Encounter at the end of the book is a compilation of all the prayers and requests made throughout the book. It speaks beautifully to the heart of this book, and to the season of advent: preparing our heart to receive and encounter the Lord not just at Christmas, but at every moment of every day for the rest of our lives.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ave Maria Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of the Abiding Together podcast recognize Heather Khym as a voice of reason and champion of redemption. In her latest outing, Khym has created a valuable resource for the challenging season of Advent.


Encountering Emmanuel: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation is a refreshingly candid exploration of the ways in which Christ comes to us. For instance, Khym ponders how Jesus comes as brother...as a lover...and to be our hope.


Her reflections are open, honest, and thought-provoking, the qualities listeners have come to expect from her highly popular podcasts. The questions that Khym includes for further meditation are quite poignant and insightful.


Reading Encountering Emmanuel is likely to draw you closer to Christ during one of the most hectic times of the year. So prepare a cup of hot cocoa, sit back, and drink in the truths which this wonderful Advent journal provides!