You might have seen the odd-looking and even odder sounding word hygge floating around the last few years especially in winter months. It’s a Danish word and idea that’s gained popularity recently and has been translated in several different ways including, “the art of creating intimacy,” “coziness of the soul,” “taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things,” and “cozy togetherness.”
It’s tempting to reduce hygge to simply mean cozy, but it’s more than just warm socks, hot tea, crackling fires, and soft blankets. Hygge is feeling at home in the best way possible. It’s about being embraced and relaxing into a place that welcomes you to be yourself.
If “What do you most associate with hygge?” was a category on Danish Family Feud, 85 out of 100 Danes would say “light.” Denmark uses more candles per capita than any other country. Creating cozy pockets of light amidst the shadows is a major component of cultivating a sense of hyggelig hominess.
This idea of hygge resonates with our Advent theme of “Close to Home,” but especially this piece about light. Every Sunday we light an Advent candle. They are just small flames in the garish light of the world, but they create a pocket of light that show us the way home. And on Christmas Eve we’ll once again pass the light and raise our candles as we sing “Silent Night” to welcome the Light of the World being born among us once again. We remember how Jesus made his home with us and in turn showed us the way home to God’s heart.
A hygge home is a space full of simple comforts, snug delights, glowing lights, and loving people that hold us safe within the shadows of life. This is how I picture our home within the heart of God. This is the home we long for. This is the home that’s forever drawing us close.
In Hygge,
Pastor Annette
P.S. If you’re interested in reading more about hygge, I recommend The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking. Knowing my love of crackling fires, glowing candles, and snuggling blankets, David’s mom bought it for me a few years ago.