The Art of Living in Season
The Art of Living in Season and The Art of Living in Advent start in the land of Provence, often called le pays des santons - the land of the santons. Through the pages, it merges into "the village of my ancestors," pictured below. The santons are steeped in history well known to the people who stem from the terroir of Provence, yet they will be quite new to many readers.
In my writings, you will encounter santons (little manger clay figurines). You will also read about noëls (ancient carols) and pastorales (Christmas plays, derived from mediaeval mystery plays). The santons were partly inspired by carols and plays, while occasionally new plays were in their turn inspired by existing santons: the chronology is somewhat compliquée...
I am only an amateur historian who attempts to describe these fascinating facts.
More importantly, I use these three strands of tradition somewhat imaginatively to show how the santons (and even the crèches-keepers themselves) can be role models to each of us – ordinary everyday saints – and help us inhabit the Great Story in our own places, in all seasons and contexts.