“all is calm, all is bright…
So go the words of one of the most beloved and well-known traditional Christmas hymns, Silent Night, written in 1918 in Austria. It’s a song that evokes the peace of not only the Savior’s birth, but also the peace of the Season. Candles, lights on the tree, cozy nights at home, all are indicators of peace on the home front.
How is the peace on your home front? If you follow lifestyle or wellness blogs, you may have seen recently the concept of Hygge. Pronounced “Hoo-guh” for those who don’t speak Danish (hello, do any of us speak Danish? Clue me in if you do – I need lessons!), is, in a nutshell, the concept of coziness, or a peaceful space. Technically, it’s defined as: “the absence of anything annoying or emotionally overwhelming; taking pleasure from the presence of gentle, soothing things.”
During this holiday season, I wonder if we could insert the concept of Hygge in our day-to-day, both spiritually and in our physical world. Spiritually, we see this concept residing in Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
The Message version reads as follows: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
It seems that the tragedy that occurs in our hearts is that we allow clutter to claim our attention. If we can settle our minds and renew the spirit of God that speaks peace and renewal into our lives, we can truly live “Hygge” every day through the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.
…sleep in heavenly peace”
Psalms Live :: Shane & Shane
Released on 11-24, this album is straight from the book of Psalms, each track titled with the chapter of origin. Melodic, pure and worshipful, this album is peaceful and perfect for your morning or evening Bible reading and quiet time!
Seventy times Seven :: Bindi Cole Chocka
This film is something I ran across this week and is simple, yet very profound. In Bindi’s description: “Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. It is a release from the burden of anger and pain. When you choose to forgive, you choose to live in the present and the future instead of the past. It does not mean to forget but it does mean to release and go on…For me to stop being disempowered by the people and events in my life, my parents and my ancestors’ lives, I had to forgive. Forgiveness is the way to reclaim power lost. It doesn’t happen on it’s own, you must choose to forgive…We are choosing to forgive. Mercy is for those who don’t deserve it.”
*…and on to a few links for the week
Christian Women Don’t Always Submit
Are you an Extrovert or an Introvert?
Can You Be Content in a Culture of “Never Enough”?
Best & Worst Nutrition Bars for You
The Best Christmas Tees You’ve Ever Seen (No really, we’re not lying)
Being Wise as Serpents in the Era of Fake News
Espresso Rubbed Brunch Sliders with Vanilla Bacon (I can’t think of anything to say here except HolyWowHowFastCanIMakeTheseAndEatThem?)