The Art of Living in Advent

Nurture a Heart that Waits with Joyful, Expectant Faith

Step into the Advent season with The Art of Living in Advent, a beautifully crafted daily devotional by Sylvie Vanhoozer, who blends Scripture, history, art, and reflection to enrich your spiritual preparation for Christmas. Centered around the traditional French santons, or "little saints," this book invites you to imagine Christ's presence in your daily life—right where you are. Through thoughtful devotions, original artwork, and prompts for prayer and reflection, this devotional offers a creative and meaningful way to deepen your faith this Advent.

With her exquisite illustrations and daily devotions, Vanhoozer encourages readers to recognize themselves as part of the nativity, welcoming Christ into the everyday. This Advent, discover how to nurture a heart that watches and waits with joyful, expectant faith. This devotional offers a pathway to quiet reflection, spiritual growth, and attentiveness to Christ.

Key Features:



- Creative Engagements: Scripture, prayers, reflection prompts, and daily activities designed to inspire.

- Aesthetic Beauty: Original botanical artwork by the author and illustrations of Provençal santons.

- Rich Tradition: Explore the story behind French santons and their connection to faith in the everyday.

- Daily Devotions: Each day includes a passage, devotional content, and practical applications focused on Christ's presence.



Begin Your Advent Journey

Discover a new way to welcome Christ this season by ordering your copy of The Art of Living in Advent today. Each day of Advent, take a step toward becoming a person who knows how to watch and wait joyfully with expectant faith in Christ's presence and activity in your own person and place.



Sylvie Vanhoozer was born and raised in Provence, France. A certified botanic artist, she currently focuses her attention on her writing and art, partly inspired by the places in which she has lived. She is the author of The Art of Living in Season: A Year of Reflections for Everyday Saints and The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting. She and her husband, Kevin, live in the Chicago suburbs and have two adult daughters and one son-in-law.



Introduction: An Advent Parable from Provence

Week 1: The Art of Joyful Waiting in Place



1. God Sets the Stage



2. The Crèche's Terroir



3. The Advent Walk



4. The Woman with Olives



5. How I Learned to Be Adventish (Part 1)



6. In the Kitchen Garden



7. Placemakers

Week 2: The Art of Joyful Waiting in Time



8. The Timing of Advent



9. Where Are You?



10. Imagining Ourselves in the Nativity Story



11. The Musician



12. How I Learned to Be Adventish (Part 2)



13. Lessons from Lentils



14. Storytellers

Week 3: The Art of Joyful Waiting in Solitude



15. God is Ever and Everywhere Present



16. Seeking God in Solitude



17. Fear of Solitude



18. The Shepherd



19. How I Learned to Be Adventish (Part 3)



20. At Table with God



21. Attendants

Week 4: The Art of Joyful Waiting in Company



22. God Gives Companions



23. A Great Cloud of Companion Santons



24. A Company of Flawed Saints



25. The Baker



26. How I Learned to Be Adventish (Part 4)



27. A Doughy Delight



28. Celebrants



Epilogue: Advent Away from the Manger



Acknowledgments



Notes