Illuminate: Preorder Now
“If we do not embrace the darkness,” writes Fr. John Nepil, “we cannot welcome the light. This is the heart of Advent: a season of trustful surrender, renewed receptivity, and silent vigil. It is the time when we wait for the coming of the light—not just in the Christ child at Christmas, but in the inner illumination of God’s presence in the soul. God, who is conceived in silence and born in poverty, comes again to fill the soul with light.”
In Illuminate, A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation Fr. Nepil invites you on a four-week journey through darkness into light.
Through daily meditations, reflection questions, prayer, and beautiful artwork, you’ll move beyond abstract ideas to discover practical, life-changing ways to recognize and share Christ’s light in your everyday life. Encounter the Lord this Advent, and let Him illuminate the dark places within you.
Bulk Pricing Available
You don't have to journey through Advent alone. Whether you’re part of a parish small group, book study, or gathering friends for spiritual reflection, Illuminate offers a shared path towards the light. Your purchase comes with a free leader's guide, a companion video series and both printable and digital resources to make group discussion easy. Let this be the season your community slows down, reflects, and welcomes the Light together.
| $11.95 | $8.25 | $6.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 1–9 copies | 10–99 copies | 100+ copies |
A Look Inside
Each Page a Sacred Invitation to the Light
Throughout Advent, Fr. Nepil offers daily reflections to prepare your heart for the Lord's coming. Drawing from the rich mystical wisdom of Adrienne von Speyr and Hans Urs von Balthasar, each entry begins with carefully chosen quotes that open into gentle meditations designed for contemplation. Illuminate balances depth with accessibility—brief yet meaningful passages accompanied by thoughtful questions help you encounter Jesus within the rhythm of your daily life, creating space to truly receive Him at Christmas.
Weeks of Advent
Each day of Illuminate is crafted to bring you closer to Christ through scripture, reflection, and prayer. Fr. John Nepil’s homilies are paired with meaningful quotes, meditative questions, and space to journal. It's a simple rhythm but a sacred one. As you journey through Advent, each week draws you deeper:
Week 1: Word
For the first week of Advent, Fr. Nepil explores the origins of Christ as found in the Gospel of John. This exploration of Christ’s origins as the word made flesh sets the stage for both the season of Advent and salvation history.
Week 2: Light
In this season of darkness, Christ serves as the light of the world. The second week of Advent explores the hope Christ provides to humanity through his coming.
Week 3: Faith
The coming of the Lord does not stop at the nativity. He relentlessly pursues us throughout our lives. The third week of Advent presents an opportunity to move towards Jesus as his arrival nears.
Week 4: Life
Jesus is the source from which all life springs forth. The fourth week of Advent seeks to lead you in your life with him, preparing you for Christmas and every season beyond that.
Meet the Author
Fr. John Nepil is an assistant professor at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado, and cohost of the Catholic Stuff You Should Know podcast.
He earned a doctorate of sacred theology degree in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy.
Nepil is an avid hiker who started preaching in the mountains as a college chaplain in Boulder, Colorado. Since becoming a priest, he has celebrated Mass on the summit of every 14,000-foot mountain in the state.
