Description
Advent is a time of waiting.
While life rushes around us at break-neck speed attempting to get in all the things we “need” to do to have a magical holiday, Advent quietly reminds us that the busy-ness, the rushing, the shopping, the chores, all of it, are not how it’s supposed to be. Advent beckons us to a simpler way. Advent asks us pause. To be quiet. To listen. To wait.
We take it for granted that the Messiah has already come. His human story here on earth has been told and we know it by heart. There is no anticipation of something that will happen because it is already past. And because of this, we lose sight of the wonder of Advent. But those who came before us watched and waited for hundreds of years for the Messiah. The deliverer. The one who would save them. And the Nativity was all the more amazing for what they finally received: God in infant form.
Advent is about anticipating God being with us. God coming to earth to save us. The manifestation of God in human form. Each week during Advent, we pause to contemplate the mysteries of this sacred event. The wonder of the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God of the universe stepping down from his holy throne to be with us. To be one of us and yet not like us. To save us. To love us.
Art can have a way of allowing us to pause and be silent. To notice details and immerse ourselves in a story. To make that story ours. If you so choose, from this guide and the accompanying prints, feel free to display an individual print during each week of Advent and present it with the readings provided. Or, feel at liberty to explore other ways to include the art in your Advent traditions.
May these Advent art devotions allow you to pause and contemplate the true wonder of the season. To anticipate the sacred and divine arrival of God with us.
!["I’m painting with the gusto of a Marseillais eating bouillabaisse, which won’t surprise you when it’s a question of painting large Sunflowers. I have 3 canvases on the go, 1) 3 large flowers in a green vase, light background (no. 15 canvas) 2) 3 flowers, one flower that’s gone to seed and lost its petals and a bud on a royal blue background (no. 25 canvas) 3) twelve flowers and buds in a yellow vase (no. 30 canvas). So the last one is light on light, and will be the best, I hope. I’ll probably not stop there. In the hope of living in a studio of our own with [Paul] Gauguin, I’d like to do a decoration for the studio. Nothing but large Sunflowers. Next door to your shop, in the restaurant, as you know, there’s such a beautiful decoration of flowers there; I still remember the big sunflower in the window. Well, if I carry out this plan there’ll be a dozen or so panels. The whole thing will therefore be a symphony in blue and yellow. I work on it all these mornings, from sunrise. Because the flowers wilt quickly and it’s a matter of doing the whole thing in one go.” (Letter 666 to Theo, 1888)
Perhaps some of Vincent's most well-known paintings were his sunflowers series which he painted in preparation of the arrival of Paul Gauguin to Arles in 1888. He wrote with humor and painted with gusto at this time as he was excited for what he hoped would be the start of an artist colony in this town in the south of France. I see a lot of hope in his sunflowers.
This is also an announcement that the Vincent van Gogh Picture Study Aid and Art Prints are back in stock in the shop! Those on the waitlist should've received an email yesterday. You can find it at the link in my profile!
#charlottemason #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasonpicturestudy #picturestudyaid #picturestudy #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolarthistory #arthistoryforhomeschoolers](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img/https://ahumbleplace.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Anonymous (verified owner) –
These are beautifully copied onto quality glossy cardstock! Couldn’t be happier.
Christina Caster (verified owner) –
Simply beautiful! I got the print set and they are absolutely stunning. I’m excited to share these with my children throughout advent to enliven their imaginations with these vivid, beautiful art. Such a simple way to add more delight in the season. Thank you!
Lisa A. (verified owner) –
Beautiful choices of nativity art and the high quality printing. Thank you!
Jennifer Hanson (verified owner) –
Cassandra (verified owner) –
They’re beautiful!
Mikelle (verified owner) –
I’m so excited to make this a part of our yearly Advent! It’s beautiful!
Janelle O. (verified owner) –
Lovely pictures!!
Dottie (verified owner) –
I love the beautiful artwork that was chosen, and am so thankful for the quality paper and print job to share these pieces with my children as we reflect on the coming of our Savior this advent season. I bought multiple sets to share with friends and am so glad I did!
Rachel H. (verified owner) –
Very pleased! Thanks!
allison w. (verified owner) –
The prints were beautiful! I purchased them and had them mailed to us. I was pleased with the speedy shipping and the quality. We have enjoyed the pause in our busyness to gaze upon the artwork picked out by ahumbleplace, and it has been easy to implement since she did the time consuming work of pairing the picture with a poem, hymn, and Bible verses. I even used it as a devotion at a Christmas party, passing around the artwork as well. For next year, I do wish she would include a little more info on the pictures for more of a picture study (we could use even through the year) and include the music pages for the hymns. Thanks! Our family has been blessed by your Advent Art Devotion!
Rebecca (store manager) –
Thank you for the feedback, Allison! I will keep that in mind for next year!
Brenda Sinkovitz –
Absolutely beautiful! And GREAT customer service!!
Allison D. (verified owner) –
We are only 1 week in so far, but are fully enjoying it. Beautiful prints perfectly paired with wonderful hymns and poetry. A much needed break to the busyness December can hold. Thank you for putting this together!
Clarissa (verified owner) –
Cara Shields (verified owner) –
Beautiful choice of prints and the quality was so nice
Diana Hayes (verified owner) –
Alexandra (verified owner) –
Beautiful! While I usually prefer to buy already printed art, this time I bought the pdf and devotional. Very pleased.
Rondalyn O. (verified owner) –
Pictures are beautiful. One of the hymns was obscure and I could not find the tune for it anywhere online, which was a bit disappointing. Volume 2 has links which I think would be an improvement to this resource. We are overseas, currently receiving no mail, so we really appreciate easy access to this advent devotional this year!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Very happy with this purchase, high quality prints.
Sarah Phillips (verified owner) –
This has been a joy to do with our family this year. We love the unique pieces of art Rebecca chose.
Jaclyn Kasper (verified owner) –
So happy with this study! Took a break from regular art to enjoy the advent season and it is really lovely!
Sally (verified owner) –
This is my second review, and I again give highest marks for the art, the printing quality and paper choice, as well as quality of shipping packaging. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Rachel (verified owner) –
High quality prints!
Heather S. (verified owner) –
Beautiful prints of some less familiar artists. I love the emphasis of light in each of the pieces. Wonderful way to celebrate Advent. Thank you!
Naomi F. (verified owner) –
These are absolutely beautiful! I’m really enjoying the poems and learning some new Christmas Hymns I’d never heard before.
Carolynne Larson (verified owner) –
Beautiful. Quality. Lovely poetry. For each of the four pictures there is a Scripture portion to read, a hymn, and a poem. Truly beautiful. All ages in our home were blessed. We have littles, elementary, teens, and adults.
Andrea Huehnerhoff (verified owner) –
LOVE this. I purchased all the advent collections and I cannot even choose a favorite!!!!!!
Tara (verified owner) –