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Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow

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Women were made to give life—and they can do that right in their own homes.

Hygge [hue-guh] has become a cultural buzzword. When many read about this Danish practice, their shoulders lift in excitement, then fall in exhale. In a culture of rush, hygge appeals to their desire for rest—for slow living, shared moments, and fostered friendships. Hygge has strong ties to beauty, contentment, and well-being. It’s warm and inviting. Hygge is the opposite of hustle. It eschews abundance. It savors. It takes things slow and envelopes you in sanctuary. Hygge is home. When you sit in a comfy chair by the fire, that’s hygge. When you arrange a fresh bouquet of wildflowers on a bedside table, that’s hygge too. Candles, soft furnishings, natural light, fresh-baked pastries, intimate gatherings with friends—these are what come to mind when you think of hygge. But hygge can be so much more.

In Holy Hygge, author Jamie Erickson unites the popular Danish practice with the deep theological truths of the gospel. She unpacks the seven tenets of hygge: hospitality, relationships, well-being, atmosphere, comfort, contentment, and rest. In addition, Erickson shows how the external veneer of a lifestyle can create a life-giving home only when placed under the hope of the gospel. Holy Hygge provides practical ideas for using hygge to gather people and introduce them to faith in Christ. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions, Scripture references, and a prayer.

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First published September 1, 2022

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About the author

Jamie Erickson

3 books779 followers
JAMIE ERICKSON is a former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom. When she’s not curating memories, hoarding vintage books, or playing ringmaster to a circus of her own making, Jamie can be found encouraging and equipping a growing tribe of mothers all across the globe on the Mom to Mom podcast, through her blog The Unlikely Homeschool, and at national conferences.

In addition to writing and speaking, Jamie loves talking faith and family over a hot latte, collecting calories around a table full of friends, and taking grueling hikes with her husband Dain and their five kids (because alas, calories don’t display very nicely on a shelf like other collections).

Connect with Jamie at jamieerickson.com

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5 stars
2,088 (39%)
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45 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 731 reviews
Profile Image for Magan Lampard.
2 reviews13 followers
December 22, 2022
I was so excited to read this book, as a Christian, and someone who has previously read about, and begun to practice, hygge. I’ve also read from this author previously, so I had high expectations. I was pretty let down.

The author attempts to create a link between hygge and holy living. The connections are weak. This should’ve been an encouraging Facebook post, or maybe a sermon. The latter half of the book is just a collection of random verses loosely strung together as mini-sermons that really don’t tie into hygge. They feel like every other mom/homemaker/wife book. Very “how to Martha with a Mary heart” vibes.

The author also quickly dismisses the social supports available in Denmark which allow hygge to be available to those in all income brackets. The attitude came across to me as saying, “socialism? Nah, that’s not a factor in their happiness. We should just focus on Jesus!” It comes across very privileged and dismissive.

The first 2-3 chapters are good.
Profile Image for Jessica.
63 reviews14 followers
October 25, 2022
Holy Hygge is such a well timed read for a world that is hell-bent on hustle, while desperate for rest.⁠ The word "Hygge" has been commandeered by marketing teams, without an consideration as to what it truly is. The creation of home as a place for deep rest and relationship.

Jamie does a truly fantastic job of explaining how the basic principles of "hygge" fit perfectly within what Christ has asked of us as Christians, to create a space for those around us to feel His love through us.
Profile Image for Victoria Sensenig.
1 review4 followers
January 8, 2023
So good. So encouraging. So convicting. I loved it so much. I’ve read books about Hygge before but I never from Godly perspective with the gospel woven all throughout. Hygge can make a home cozy and comforting, but it’s Jesus who gives it life.
Profile Image for Megan Heck.
14 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2022
I definitely thought I was picking up a book about homemaking, hosting, welcoming people into your home & sharing in the love of Christ together. While the front end of this book seemed pertinent to the subject of the title and subtitle, the further I read, the more it veered off into more of a collection of Bible stories and random pontifications about life. Which is fine and good, but not what I anticipated this book to be about. It seems that the authors own stated thesis in the beginning of the book about wanting to help women that feel ill equipped to open their homes was not met or fulfilled.
Profile Image for R.F. Gammon.
839 reviews255 followers
Read
May 15, 2025
This was really thoughtful and gave me a lot of ideas on my own home. Growing up in the northeast made me familiar with a lot of ways people living in the cold didn’t embrace warmth or hygge, and I love the fact that I’m able to identify that early and work on incorporating warmth and comfort into my home.
Profile Image for Abigail Westbrook.
481 reviews33 followers
October 15, 2022
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this book didn’t really grab me. I think some of the spiritual analogies seemed stretched to tie in with the hygge themes, and each chapter seemed rather repetitious. Good content overall, just maybe not enough to fill a whole book? It is beautifully designed, though, and I liked the list of practical hospitality ideas in the back.
Profile Image for Kim.
450 reviews13 followers
November 6, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book exploring the concept of hygge from a Gospel-oriented perspective. Subtitled “Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow”, the author encourages us to live with grace, love, and welcome. I especially liked the Appendix, which is full of fun, concrete suggestions to foster connection and faith.
Profile Image for Elise.
571 reviews
March 17, 2023
I really enjoyed this book about using hygge to help shape your hospitality. I've read several books on hospitality, and this one came at it from a fresh perspective.

I'll definitely be reading this one again, and I might even buy it!

An easy, cozy, applicable read!
Profile Image for Becca.
794 reviews47 followers
November 25, 2023
I went into this expecting fluff with a little bit of Scripture mixed in, and honestly I was fine with that. When I think of Hygge, I think comfort. I thought I might get a couple good ideas for hosting, or maybe some motivation for getting through the winter months. And while this book does include those things, I was pleasantly surprised by how much Scripture is also included. I appreciated how the author weaves the concept of Hygge in with biblical principles, though the two are not obviously connected. It was a fresh perspective on hospitality and creating a home that I have not read before.
I’m giving this five stars not because it’s the most theologically robust thing I’ve ever read, but because I really enjoyed all of it. I thought the author’s personal experience with Hygge was unique and brought authenticity to a book that could easily have been written just for the sake of being on trend.
So glad I got to read this in the fall. It was a good read at the right time for me. It’s also beautifully designed, which fits in with the Hygge theme. Would recommend!
Profile Image for Deon.
1,117 reviews155 followers
May 24, 2023
A nice read about casual hospitality, being intentional about creating a gathering place of peace.

enjoyable narrator



Quotes:
* Hygge favors the ordinary and familiar. It is unpretentious and imperfect and encourages satisfaction is everydayness. This attitude of gratitude helps them ignore the urge to reach for more. Many Danes quickly admit that having too much of anything undermines its value. Extravagance begins to feel exhausting and overwhelming when it happens all the time. Simple pleasures, on the other hand cultivate contentment.

* Whether you realize it or not, every message you allow in has the power to influence your thoughts and decision-making.

* So often, when we purchase something, we only think about the cost of buying it. But what about the cost of owning it?

* With the help of hygge, the Danes are generally optimistic people, taking the posture of gratitude, satisfaction, and positivity. That’s not to say they never face hardships or less-than-ideal situations, but they’ve learned to be masters of spin. They’ve chosen to reframe their thoughts about their current circumstances to live more joyful lives. Gratefulness turns what we have into enough.

* If you’re having trouble voicing your gratefulness, remember that while practice doesn’t always make perfect, it does make progress. Sometimes in life, you just have to play scales over and over until you get better, until the noose starts to sound like music. In this case, you have to keep saying “Thank you” until you actually mean it.

* Christian women are especially susceptible to the soul-jaundicing effects of hustle. We work under the reckless notion that our cheeks needs to be flushed in heaven from the labor we’ve done here on earth. We are rest-avoidant because, at some point, some well-meaning someone had us all believe that the central aim of our lives is to be useful to God, but it’s not. We’re meant to glorify God. That’s our purpose. The end.

* Let's not waste another minute complaining about the weather. Let's just learn to put on better clothes.
Profile Image for Abigail Hayven.
Author 1 book56 followers
March 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you aren’t a fan of markings in books, don’t borrow my copy of Holy Hygge. I’m certain I underlined 75% of it! 😂

WOW. This book brings so much to the meaning of home, our need for rest, and our desire for belonging. It dives in to the practical and the spiritual—exploring Eden, Heaven, and the home we’ve been given in between.

This book is about the rest we as believers find in Christ, but it’s also about evangelism, inspiring us to create the sort of home that points wandering souls to the belonging they can find in Christ.

I will never not recommend this book! It’s definitely one of my all time favorites. It’s beautifully written and I found myself so drawn to the writing style. Unlike many homemaking books I’ve read, this one left me inspired and not burdened by the sometimes overwhelming task of hospitality.

I think I will read this book many more times in the years to come!
Profile Image for AnnaScott.
453 reviews71 followers
February 5, 2023
Overall this book was beautiful. Jesus + hygge + the beautiful blue illustrations made it truly delightful to read. I loved revisiting hyggelig practices, especially in light of the Gospel. My only, tiny complaint is that there were several times where it felt like she spent a large amount of time explaining fairly common theology/Bible stories. But overall I would highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders).
539 reviews279 followers
March 23, 2025
This book is such a beneficial tool for any follower of Jesus who desires to simply implement practices in their home that make people feel truly welcome. This endeavor of comfort within our homes isn’t about creating the perfect pinterest-worthy space or merely focused on individual self-care; it’s about gathering for the sake of the Gospel to extend the love & comfort of Jesus to all who enter our space.

It takes Hygge beyond decoration for the sake of admiration or self-care for the sake of personal comfort. Instead, Erickson’s biblically-based admonishments call the believer to care deeply for those around them from a place of biblical love. I thought she did a good job at showing the original design of Home in the Garden, how that has been marred by sin, and the future hope of restoration we look forward to in our heavenly Home.
She does reference the Danish culture exclusively positively; readers should be careful to not idealize the Danes, but rather recognize humans can reflect the character of God, however imperfectly.

I appreciated the practical encouragement to offer hospitality and rest to others, regardless of your lifephase, house size, or budget allowance. Beyond the insightful words, the design of the book itself is an experience of beauty.
I will be returning to this book often and recommending it widely!
Profile Image for Kate Willis.
Author 24 books570 followers
January 7, 2026
This was greatly encouraging and also convicting. I loved the focus shift from home as a place to a Person and the spiritual encouragement tied to each tenant of hygge.

The practical tips at the end were very helpful too. I appreciated how accessible and low budget her suggestions were. I find a lot of lifestyle books unrelatable in that area, so this was refreshing.

Definitely give this one a read. Gorgeous interior formatting and illustrations too!
Profile Image for Christabel.
70 reviews
September 26, 2025
Took me a long time cuz there was just so much to glean from, so I took time to appreciate and digest it all.

Moral of the story? In remembering God’s warmth, kindness, and hospitality, we ought to seek to do the same in whatever circumstance we’re in, no matter how big or small our homes or budgets are.
Profile Image for Emily Funkhouser.
101 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2025
This book discusses homemaking and home-sharing for Christian women under seven headings of hospitality, relationships, well-being, atmosphere, comfort, contentment, rest, and home for the homeless, looking at each category with reference to the Garden of Eden and the life of Jesus, as well as the Danish practice of hygge.

I really appreciated Erickson’s notes on how we image God when we create our homes, as He (as Father and Creator) is responsible for creating both a temporal and eternal home for us (“in my Father’s house there are many rooms, and I go to prepare a place for you”). I also appreciated the emphasis on the life of Jesus and the reminder that for Christians, our sanctuary and place of rest is not a place but a Person, and this should change the way we live and host to be centered not around the aesthetics of our home but relationships which hopefully image and honor our most important Relationship. The practical takes, such as laying out and furnishing your rooms to maximize interaction, were thought-provoking to me as well. The emphasis on contentment, gratitude, comfort, generosity, and Sabbath rest as elements of home-making were also convicting, that my perspectives and how I conduct my relationships are the real scaffolding against which my home is built. Lastly, I appreciated the reminder that EVERYONE is “homeless” in some sense on earth, and this places an obligation on those with the greatest sense of home-ness (the church).

A few notes: there were some parts in the beginning of the book where I felt like Erickson’s connections were tenuous, and she was trying to “fit” aspects of the life of Jesus into a cultural practice (looking at you, chapter that talked about having candles in your home and Jesus being the light of the world). Also, there was a section on self care that made me feel a bit dubious, probably because I think the cultural pendulum has swung to the point that I feel like the need is now to encourage self-denial and generosity rather than boundaries and self care. These things made me feel like it was a bit “lighter” than Butterfield’s The Gospel Comes with a House Key (similar topic), but I still appreciated a lot of the insights!!

“Hygge can help you name things differently too. For instance, the mound of dishes that greets you at the end of each evening-that's daily evidence that you have people in your life who eat at your table. The clean laundry pile that threatens to landslide all over your living room floor each time you pass is not an eyesore but a blessed reminder that you have clothes on your back. Your outdated living room couch is not so much a blemish on your decor as a memorial of the countless movie nights you've enjoyed with friends or Sunday afternoon naps you've savored.”

“Every person who enters your door has a divine appointment.”
Profile Image for Kelsey.
30 reviews
June 20, 2023
Had some really good quotes sprinkled throughout but for the most part I found myself disagreeing with so much of what she said. She really emphasizes social Justice throughout, many quotes on which I found unbiblical.

Also the links she was trying to draw to hygge felt odd and sometimes forced, and she only focused on the together/hospitality aspect of hygge. It felt like she was reaching most of the time when trying to make connections. More I could say but the short version is, It’s really not one I’d recommend.
Profile Image for Ambrosia.
45 reviews
November 6, 2025
I’m an avid reader who typically borrows books from the library, whenever possible. I don’t remember how I first heard of this book (I think it may have been mentioned in “Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms, but I can’t be certain.) I requested the book from the library and it took a few weeks to arrive. Once I started reading it, I found it so thought provoking and personally challenging. I renewed the book the maximum of 3 times that I was able, and then I still felt unprepared to return it: so I bought it!

This book is about so much more than just “home decor” or traditions. This book has made me rethink so many of my perspectives on Faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ. I read the book slowly while really allowing it to resonate with me. I highly recommend this book. It will be one of my “Best of 2025”, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. I definitely plan on implementing some changes … not just in my home and family; but mostly in myself.
Profile Image for Elly Hamby.
70 reviews5 followers
December 17, 2023
“It’s not as if the gospel will not spread if we don’t open our doors, but we’ll be missing an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing if we don’t. God welcomes us into His work”

Maddy sent me this book when I moved to Colorado and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I loved learning about the big ideas of hygge and how it is a mere shadow of Christ’s kingdom, and practical ways to reflect that as you welcome people (believers and nonbelievers) into your home. I’m excited to start implementing these practices when hosting!

Thank you mads<33
Profile Image for Hannah.
127 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The word hospitality originated from the greek word for hospital, so the idea of when someone comes into your home and experiences community and shares a meal they have a chance at receiving HEALING. Very good.

Christ made His home in us. John 14. And the place He Has prepared for us in heaven will not look like a church it will be HOME with rooms and a table for feasting. Yes please!
Profile Image for Grace Coleman.
75 reviews8 followers
February 28, 2024
Literally loved this book so much more than I was expecting! It’s a feel good read that’s simple but deep! If you’re into hospitality this is a great read
Profile Image for Meagan.
293 reviews137 followers
February 2, 2024
“Hygge is a feeling for a concept for a lifestyle. In its most unsophisticated forms, hygge is a mindset—a way of making the mundane and necessary tasks of life more meaningful and beautiful.”

I absolutely loved this book! I honestly didn’t know what “hygge” was before reading this book but quickly realized I’ve seen the concept everywhere!

Jamie takes the Danish concept of hygge and shows us how these principles are shared with the way Jesus lived his life on earth and calls us to live too. You’ll learn about hospitality, relationships, well-being, atmosphere, comfort, contentment, and rest from biblical perspective. While I didn’t completely agree with every connection the author made, I appreciate that all of these concepts were backed with scripture.

Just remember as you read to start small. There are so many great ideas for shaping your life and home after the concept of hygge that you may find yourself wanting to do all the things (my hand is up here 🙋🏻‍♀️), but I’m excited to try incorporating some new (and simple) ideas to our home 🤍

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Rating: Clean
Profile Image for Bianca Hosking.
8 reviews
January 21, 2025
A beautiful book on Christ-centred hospitality which has been awfully inspiring for a new wife wanting to prepare and use her home to glorify God! And…such a timely reminder, as the new year starts, to be intentional with rest ! ☺️
Profile Image for Gabie Peacock.
214 reviews29 followers
December 29, 2022
2.5 stars is more accurate!
I did not enjoy this one. The first chapter or two got me excited to unpack practical examples of how Christians can implement hygge, but the rest of the book fell flat. My woke radar went off several times, and the theology was lacking. I wanted more practical applications, and it just ended up being musings on different topics. I don't recommend this one, unfortunately. I think I will find a secular hygge book to learn more about it instead!
Profile Image for Taliah Kendrick.
160 reviews33 followers
July 20, 2023
(3.5) “The gospel isn’t about doing something; the gospel is about what’s already been done.”

This was an insightful about the Danish hygge lifestyle! There are great takeaways from this book that will cause you to consider living your life more intentionally. While Jamie covers the hygge way of life, she constantly reminds you and points you to Jesus–who satisfies and gives life. I really appreciated the chapters on contentment and rest! ⭐️ I received this book from @moodypublishers in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
787 reviews5 followers
May 1, 2025
3.5 rounded up. A great book on embracing simple gathering in our homes to grow the gospel. I really needed the chapter in contentment. Not a fan of the push for “me time” and a bare bones work week, but otherwise, there was a lot of encouragement here.
Profile Image for Lois.
255 reviews45 followers
April 10, 2025
Really beautiful book that explores how hygge can so perfectly fit into biblical hospitality and a Christian’s life in general.
It’s a good companion to Cindy Rollins’ Beyond Mere Motherhood and Edith Schaffer’s The Hidden Art of Homemaking.
Profile Image for Bethany Stewart.
368 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2023
The perfect book to start the year that my word of the year is connection. If you're looking for a book to encourage you to rest, share your faith and love others this is it!
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