Author Sylvie Vanhoozer was born and raised in Provence, a region in the south of France, where each Advent season a unique tradition begun in the 19th century plays out. Santons—“little saints”—are set up in crèches, or manger scenes, in people’s homes. These 3-inch-tall clay figurines are beautifully painted to reflect that time period’s dress, and each brings a small present to baby Jesus, gifts provided from the earth and his or her labor in it. Vanhoozer explains, “These crèche scenes do not so much represent the story of the Christmas night as restage it, setting the birth of Jesus in the terroir of the people of Provence.”
When Vanhoozer was an adult she became a Christian and lived in numerous countries. She began to reflect on the tradition of her childhood and asked herself, “What if, once Christmas was over, I continued the pilgrimage, in spiritual company with the santons through all the seasons of the year? What if I were to follow Jesus outside the crèche, in order to keep on doing, throughout the year, what these little saints did in Advent and Christmas? Could I bring an offering to Jesus daily, in my place and time, as the santons did in theirs?”
Vanhoozer’s answers to her questions are found in this insightful and beautifully illustrated book—her botanical artwork is a visual delight—which begins with the season of Advent, takes readers through the church year, including ordinary time, and concludes with a reflection on the art of coming home. Each chapter introduces readers to a different santon—for example, a baker, a drummer, a woman with kindling, and a flower peddler—and narrates how each one uses his or her gifts to bring glory to Jesus. Weekly reflections, including sidebars inviting readers to pause, ponder, pray, and play your part, are included in each chapter.
About her own journey, VanHoozer writes, “Learning the art of living in season has helped me see that the Christian pilgrimage or journey through life is about enfolding our everyday lives into the life of Christ, season by season. It is the art of making my place—home, church, workplace, and elsewhere—a living crèche with Jesus in the center. It is the art of doing my part, wherever I happen to be and whatever I happen to be doing. It is the art of following Christ out of the manger, continuing to bring such gifts as I have to offer: my skills, my time, my energy, my possessions, my creativity, my very self.”
The Art of Living in Season would make a thought-provoking, artistic gift for people who have questions about Jesus, as Vanhoozer did for many years, and for mature Christians who desire to grow in faith and discipleship with their Savior. (IVP Formatio)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.