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 also the author of The Art of Living in Season: A Year of Reflections for Everyday Saints. 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. Saints with Taints


25. The Baker


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


27. A Doughy Delight


28. Celebrants


Epilogue: Advent away from the Manger


Notes