As we meditate and ponder the miracle of Jesus’ birth this Advent season, we’re partnering with Verso Ministries to offer one lucky winner the opportunity to experience the very place where Jesus was born — The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. 

Of course, that’s just one of the many stops you will make in the Holy Land, a place where you become immersed in the story of Jesus; where you see, taste, and explore your way through one of the most fascinating areas of the world.

During Advent, we wait in the expectation of Jesus coming down as a baby. It’s a time filled with tradition, wonder, and celebration, but sometimes the spirit of Christmas — even faith itself — can feel far away.

God feels extraordinarily near in the Holy Land. When you visit Bethlehem, that spirit of Christmas is palpable all year round. When you step inside the Church of the Nativity, for many, their faith feels more powerful than ever before. 

“While our group was waiting at the Church of the Nativity, I was struck with awe as I looked at the hundreds of faces around me. There were people representing many different races, religious backgrounds, and age groups. ⁠

As groups started to make their way down to the grotto where Jesus was born, I noticed the immense joy that filled the hearts of those around me. Too often we forget the joy that Christ’s birth can bring to our lives not only during the Christmas season but every season of our life.” 

⁠- Mckenzy Stilger, Verso Pilgrim

When you refer a friend to Hallow this Advent, you’re helping send them on a path of peace, self-discovery, and connection with God. 

When you do, you now also have a chance to go on another kind of life-changing journey: pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is a chance to get out of your daily surroundings and encounter the places where God has moved in time and space throughout history. 

Refer a friend to Hallow, and when they begin a free trial, you’ll be entered to win a free trip to the Holy Land with Verso Ministries. 

To automatically be entered into the drawing, all you have to do is refer a friend to become a Hallow app user or start a free trial yourself. For each friend you refer that joins Hallow, you’ll receive an entry. To learn more about how to refer someone to Hallow, check out this article here. The person who you refer must begin a free trial in order for you to qualify.

We’ll be accepting entries until Midnight on December 24, so make sure you’re in time! We’ll announce the winner on December 29.

Prayer, Meet Pilgrimage

What would it look like to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with your Hallow app in hand?

Meditate on Mary, at the Church of the Annunciation

When you’re at the magnificent church that celebrates the angel’s announcement to Mary, open up the app and be led through a meditation on Mary. 

Experience Calm on the Sea of Galilee

While you’re on the shore or out on a boat in the middle of the still waters, find peace as you listen to a Lectio Divina. 

Journal at the Church of the Nativity

In Bethlehem, where it’s Christmas all year long, take a moment to write in your journal about what it means to you that Jesus was born in this very place. 

Who is Verso Ministries?

Like Hallow, Verso Ministries is taking a time-honored tradition and making it new. Just as Hallow is breathing new life into the experience of meditation, Verso is reimagining the practice of pilgrimage. 

Verso melds the historical practice of pilgrimage with expertise in modern travel. When you journey with Verso, you’ll experience the fullness of life, Catholic faith, and everything a destination has to offer. See the holy sites, taste the food, and dive into the culture. 

See yourself on a pilgrimage at versoministries.com. 

Wondering what travel will look like in 2021? See Verso’s SafelySent program. 

Grand Prize Winner: One winner for the Grand Prize will be randomly drawn from among all eligible entries received, with the Grand Prize drawing to occur on or around December 29, 2020. The Grand Prize winner will receive a Travel Voucher in the amount of $4,000 to be applied towards any travel (valid for payment of published registration fees, as well as the following fees and expenses for services arranged on behalf of the traveler by Verso Ministries: single room supplement, optional add-ons, optional extension packages, private transfers, pre- and post-stays in lodging, hotel upgrades, and private tours) through Verso Ministries of equal or lesser value. The Grand Prize Winner must use the credit no later than 11:59:59 PM EST on January 31, 2021. Credit must be applied to a pilgrimage departing prior to 11:59:59 PM EST on December 31, 2022. The travel voucher is not valid for payments towards the following fees and expenses: airfare costs, airline seats or upgrades, personal expenses, visa or passport fees, meals, drinks, travel insurance, tips or donations not included in package, and anything else not explicitly listed as a valid fee or expense. It has no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash, check, gift certificate, or credit back to a charge card. The winning credit may not be transferred to any other person, may only be used for one trip, and has no other cash value. Any unused balance will be forfeited. If the Grand Prize winner claims and uses the travel voucher, for tax purposes they will receive a 1099-MISC form from Verso Ministries during the year the travel took place. All travel arranged using the winning credit must comply with all other Verso Ministries’ policies, procedures, terms, and conditions as found at the Verso Ministries website at www.VersoMinistries.com/terms.