Holy Hygge and The Promise of Rest

Holy Hygge and the Promise of Rest

“For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”” - Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” - Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Dear brothers & sisters,

As days got shorter, temperatures dropped which forced them to retreat indoors for a season, we envision our Scandinavian ancestors embracing scriptures like these.

As we have learned from the past, as January approaches it is easy to become bombarded with the “need” to hit the ground running, set goals, make new resolutions, and compelled to compile a lengthy to-do list for the new year. Go go go is often what culture expects of us and we know it is easy to just go with the flow without much of a pause, breath, or rest, let alone time with Jesus. 

This hurry doesn’t stop at January, but most often continues throughout the year as we rush to check off each item in the “must do” category and race to the finish of another year. This pace is unsustainable and unhealthy.  It also does not make for joy in our lives nor happy or peaceful times.  This is especially true when we do not pause to connect with our One and Only High Priest—Jesus. 

When we don’t make time for that most precious, special and important time with Jesus, we can begin to feel alone, depressed, in the dark, cold and lost as we wait for promises of springtime. The enemy is patiently waiting, watching and hoping for moments like these. Just like a lion waits in the brush to attack and devour his unknowing prey, so is the enemy waiting for us. As he attacks, he begins to lead us astray by weaving and whispering lies, casting worry, doubt, fear, and placing anger on our heart.  Without intentional time with Jesus, we can quickly and easily become lost. 

However, the Good News is that the enemy is not match for a Holy hygge with Jesus.  As promised, He is right there with us, never leaving or forsaking us.  It is through His death and resurrection that He became our High Priest and made a way for us to approach God directly without an earthly interceder.  When we boldly approach His throne, we can lay ALL of our troubles at the cross. This is what He wants—to help and guide us as He listens to our worries, fear, dreams, and the desires of our heart.  Through the creation of autumn and winter, He invites us to just be, to rest, and to sit with Him through it all during the darkness.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As autumn sets in, let us be intentional as we pause each day and take note of God’s creation—the great outdoors. As we do, we will begin to see nature shedding the old, settling down, nestling in and the birds and animals getting ready for rest.  It is a time for all God’s creations to get ready to move into a state of rest, hibernation, and renewal for the upcoming near year. The key here is to learn from nature as we find ease, comfort and peace, as we give it all to and rest in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, it will ALL be more than okay.  He’s got our back—always.

“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?”
‭‭Job‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Even though their winters are long, dark, and cold, places like Denmark are noted to be the world’s happiest countries. According to the “World Happiness Report”, a publication by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (powered by the Gallup World Poll data), in 2022 Denmark ranked one of the happiest places in the world, only second to Finland. Many believe that this high ranking is attributed to their embrace of a hygge lifestyle(pronounced “hoo’-gah” much like the sound of an old car horn), not just in the winter months but all year round. By making even the smallest things matter, Danes seem to ease the soul, create comfort, and illuminate their spirit with a hygge lifestyle. In doing so they place an importance on togetherness and spending quality time with loved ones,bringing light and warmth inside, and enjoying the simple things.  

Enter the hygge lifestyle. The 18th century Danish term is an adjective, noun, and a verb all wrapped in one that describes a state of well-being and contentment. The hygge practice invites comfort and connection into one’s life in a simple and inexpensive way.

In addition to making time to LOVE GOD, also remember the second of God’s commandments—LOVE OTHERS. This is a wonderful time to connect, reconnect, check in on, and nurture your relationships with family, friends and even those that are not yet your friends. Some great ways to connect and let them know you love them are through a good conversation around a warm fire, in an intimate gathering of friends to enjoy a warm meal or play to board games.

Just as important as connecting and loving others is taking time to love and care for self. This can be as simple as putting on a pair of heavy wool socks, reading a book under a cozy, soft blanket, enjoying the flicker of the candlelight dancing on the walls of a room, or sipping a delicious cup of hot cocoa after ice skating.  These are all some inexpensive ways that we can experience hygge.

 While we read magazines, books and blogs touting hygge simply as “coziness”, it is so much more.  It is a release, a letting go, like a big warm hug without the physical touch, and an appreciation of people and places that put us at ease.  It is a time that allows Jesus to capture our attention, to sit beside us as He takes our worry, fear and anxiety, replacing it with His peace and  reminding us of God’s promise:

““Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬, ‭34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

While hygge might seem more prevalent in the autumn and winter months, it is a year-round lifestyle in places like Denmark. In the warm months, Danes experience hygge through taking the simple enjoyment of community and pleasures in life such as through a bike ride, enjoying outdoor music events, taking a hike, game night, a nice swim or soak in the hot tub, strolling the farmers market or local museum, taking a boat ride, enjoying picnics, barbecues, potlucks and other causal gatherings with friends and family. 

While there is no perfect recipe for hygge, the key ingredients are slowing down, ease, comfort, rest, relaxation, togetherness, light, warmth, appreciation, coziness, presence, simple rituals and family traditions, mindful indulgence, and most importantly—spending time with Jesus.

As CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, Miek Wiking shares in his book, The Little Book Of Hygge, Hygge is not about things, about being perfect, expensive, or accessible to only a few. It is inexpensive, simple, and open to all that want to experience it. It is about embracing being “imperfect”and comfortable around those you love. 

As days get shorter and darker, let us embrace a Holy hygge and know we have permission to “come as we are”, be intentional, find comfort, and rest in our lives with Jesus and loved ones sd ee usher in a new year of hope and more promise.

Brothers and sisters, how will you embrace a Holy hygge this year?

We love you & continue to stand in prayer with and for you!

The Viking & The Lioness Ministries, Inc.