I bet Jesus was totally into Hygge. Okay well, there is no way to know for sure and maybe He was more hygge in training… but He definitely had a pull towards the slow and simple vs. fast and flashy.
As I’ve spent the month of December reading and pondering the Danish idea of Hygge, I can’t help but think about Jesus, the manger and all the Christmas goodness.
What is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cosy, charming or special.
Hygge (or to be “hyggeligt”) doesn’t require learning “how-to”, adopting it as a lifestyle or buying anything. It’s not a thing and anyone telling you different either doesn’t understand it or is literally trying to sell you something that has nothing to do with the concept. You can’t buy a ‘hygge living room’ and there are no ‘hygge foods’ to eat.
Description taken from The Hygge House
What does Hygge have to do with Christmas?
Hygge has been encouraging me to tune into moments. It’s been amazing how much more i notice and appreciate. With young kids, busy jobs and continual daily routine it is easy to get caught up in the shuffle. On walks I notice not only the coziness of my hat, gloves and jacket, but also the sweetness of a good friend, the red bark on exposed branches, and rose hips and snow berries that decorate our trail. I’ve noticed the smell of my tea, the warmth of a kiddo snuggle and the friendship of my husband.
The Danish created the concept of Hygge in order to find joy in the long, dark and often grueling winters. In the midst of all 2020 has brought, we too are enduring a long, dark and grueling winter, and in many ways we are still wading through it.
Hygge offers us a way through winter. As I up up our simple Christmas tree, hang lights, curl by the fire and drink tea, I’m thankful for being drawn back to the simple. The idea of Hygge is to savor these moments and allow them to transform your state of mind.
As Covid has stripped away much of our typical Holiday hustle and bustle, it has set us up to truly tune into the ordinary moments where connection is made, coziness is enjoyed, a sense of charm is in the air. It feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie reminding me to remember “what Christmas is all about.” Although it’s nothing new, it has been powerful for me to dwell on.
Jesus too seemed to value simple moments. I think of the stable, probably colder and stinkier then the classic hyggeligt setting, yet provided a more accessible environment to tune into the sacredness of the moment, without distraction. Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of the Inn? If there was a room? The wisemen and shepherds trying to navigate inn keepers, guests, hallways, animals, finances… instead what was most important remained most accessible.
The same is true for most of us this holiday season. What is truly most important remains most accessible. Connection to simple joys, connection to people, and above all, connection to Christ and His gift of Hope, Peace, Joy and Unending Love.
-Annika Cook