Happy St. Lucia Day! On December 13th. it is St. Lucia Day for Scandinavians. Being Norwegian it is a day I love and celebrate as much a our Canadian Christmas.
St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her
faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she
would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who
lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would wear candles
on her head so she had both her hands free to carry things. Lucy means
'light' so this is a very appropriate name.
December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, in the old Julian calendar and a pagan festival of lights in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia's Day.
We start the day with the youngest girl in the family wearing a crown of candles bringing her parents hot coffee and sweets. Usually a cinnamon bread or saffron buns. Later there is a festive lunch.
A procession of girls and boys holding candles go through the streets and songs are sung for St. Lucia.
Everyone gets in on the celebration. God Jul and Happy St. Lucia to all of my Scandinavian family and friends.
I am a little behind, but God Jul!
ReplyDeleteI knew bits and pieces from my childhood (and really mixed up bloodline) but I am relearning so much this season.
Happy belated St Lucia day to you, my beautiful fellow Norwegian friend. Hugs, Mina
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