January 31, 2025
A few years ago when my mom and I were talking about how much we both dreaded the early winter sunsets, we came across the Danish/Norwegian concept of "hygge". If you haven't heard of hygge, you can click the link to read about it, but essentially it is the concept of making things cozy and inviting during the dark winter months. Things like keeping soft throw blankets on couches and chairs, stringing fairy lights even inside, and lighting candles. My mom and I decided to do everything we could to "hygge" the long dark nights of winter, and specifically that we would each - she in her home in Madison and me right here - light candles at sunset each night.
The first night of our Great Hygge Plan, I got a text right around sunset from my mom, with a picture of her lit candles. I texted her back a picture of my lit candles. Soon our sunset ritual included not just lighting the candles, but texting one another photos of our candles. We often didn't even say anything in the text, just sent each other a little light. Pretty soon, early sunsets evolved from something I dreaded to something I found cozy. And instead of the early darkness feeling isolating, we found more connection and an element of sacredness.
This Sunday at church, we'll celebrate a holiday known as Candlemas, at which we'll bless lots and lots of candles. Candlemas is connected to the Feast of the Presentation and the declaration of Jesus as the "Light to enlighten the nations". And both of these occur on the very day that is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Any which way one looks at this day, it's all about Light, Light, Light. Sacredness we can invite into our every day lives.
In ancient days, whole communities would bring their candles and lanterns to church on Candlemas to be blessed so they could then bring "the Light of Christ" home with them. Sacredness. They would light these candles when they prayed, feeling wrapped in safety and warmth. Sacredness. I can almost picture the blessed lanterns hanging outside, lights dotting the dark paths through town, reminding everyone walking by that the Light of Christ guided their footsteps. Sacredness.
My prayer for you this week is that you find at least some moments when you feel yourself wrapped in the sacred Light of Christ. Moments of holy hygge when you feel the sacredness of warmth and connection. My prayer is that you find moments which remind you it takes just one candle to light a room; just a little Light to illuminate the path forward. Simple sacredness. Ours if we choose. Thanks be