Is that 👆possible? It's really true... time flies! ⏰
Our tree is up, and the beautiful wooden December countdown calendar (thekeepingcompany.com) is ready for December 1. Although the tree has been standing almost a week, I've not hung an ornament... so enjoying the simplicity of only white lights on dark evenings.
Before Thanksgiving I took an afternoon (yes, you read that right - what you see was my third attempt) to hang curtain lights on the windows that overlook our back yard. I must say, I 💖them. We redid this room earlier this year - it used to be split in half with dining room on one end and living room on the other, but we moved the dining room into what we were using as a TV den, to open this room up - and wow, it's fun to think of new ways to incorporate light into the dark of winter in this fresh setting. Nothing like moving furniture around and repainting to get my creative juices flowing...
Long dark days invite us to find light, whether that be in twinkling lights, fires, candles, or grand outdoor displays. Daylight is still growing shorter each day, and the reality of winter is setting in. So we turn on the lights earlier, put a log on the fire, and snuggle under an afghan.
The Scandinavians have a word for this coziness we create - "hygge." I've always been hygge, I just didn't know it. Preferring soft ambient light to overhead lighting, preferring sitting by a fire at home to going pretty much anywhere else, I've always been drawn to a cozy hygge scene. I now own a little stack of books on the subject, and since I know it's a thing I'm enjoying being on trend for once. Ha. I'm hyggelige. (yes, that's a word too!)
One book is entitled the joy of hygge by Jonny Jackson & Elias Larsen. And there is indeed joy in the concept of all things hygge.
The book suggestions include: natural light, soft furnishings, bringing nature into your home, fresh air, open fires, lighting candles, slippers, a mug of something warm, reading under a blanket...
Gosh, that's a list from my play book.
But if I were describing my perfect cozy, I'd suggest one further refinement... inviting Jesus to my hygge scene through reading His word, journaling and chatting with Him. Right here in the coziness.
I did not stage this next photo. It's an actual recent photo texted to a friend to explain what I was up to. It's a very normal scene - me by the fire with a stack of journals, books and pens. Time with God in a hyggelige setting is my happiest of happy places.
As much as I love my twinkle lights, Jesus is the Light I seek. He brings the lasting contentment. He sheds lasting light on each and every situation. Contentment in Him doesn't get unplugged. In His presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)
A lot of us don't realize that He is *the* light we crave in the darkness, but He is. In fact He stated, "I am the Light of the world." in John 8:12. So *of course* we humans all crave light... the beauty of twinkling lights in the night... twinkling bulbs are a small reflection of the True Light that came into the world. For many it is subconscious, but we are all hard wired to crave light, hardwired to crave beauty, and hardwired to crave Jesus.
Imagine, the God that created light and dark (Genesis 1:3) became Light in human form for the dark world that had forgotten Him. It's a lot to ponder.
Perhaps this blog will hold more of my daily ponderings.
Are you still here?
A friend challenged me today to get my words, journals and art "out there," so resurrecting this blog is a baby step. Is anyone reading? One little comment or hand wave will encourage me. I'm so grateful that you stopped by...
Go create some hygge in your space, and let me know what feels cozy to you!
