Christ Centered St. Lucia Day

Do you know what country St. Lucia was from?  Well, this is the confusing part.  Lucia was a Christian Martyr from Italy but is celebrated for saving the starving people of Sweden.  Lucia appeared wearing a white robe with a wreath of candles on her head at the front of a boat filled with food for the Swedes affected by the famine.  As soon as the boat of food was unloaded she disappeared.   St. Lucia Day is a Swedish Holiday that is remembered on December 13.  You don’t have to be Swedish to celebrate, though.  It is, more importantly, a Christ-Centered holiday that celebrates the goodness of God to his people.

 

The Story of St. Lucia

Lucia was an Italian girl, born in Sicily in the 3rd century A.D. It was a time when the Romans were persecuting Christians, and Lucia’s family was Christian. When her father died, Lucia vowed to remain unmarried and to serve God, but since she didn’t tell anyone about this vow, her widowed mother went ahead and promised her in marriage to a suitor who was not a Christian. Lucia said no thanks, I’d rather be an old maid, and she proceeded to give her dowry away to the poor. The young man’s pride was severely injured, so he reported Lucia to the Roman authorities and she was tried and convicted of being a Christian. The judge decided that a suitable punishment for a woman who wanted to remain chaste was to be sold into slavery – to a brothel. But when the soldiers came to take her away, they were unable to move her! Rather than being awed by this, they proceeded to pour oil over her and set her on fire. The oil burned – Lucia did not! Still unimpressed, the soldiers beat and tortured her and tried to get her to deny her Christian faith, but she refused. So they stuck a sword into her throat and that did kill her. She died a martyr’s death on December 13, 304 A.D. For her faithfulness, she was made a saint.
    How did a Sicilian saint become a part of Swedish tradition? Legend has it that back in the Middle Ages, the Swedish province of Varmland was experiencing a terrible famine and people were starving to death. On the longest night of the shortest day of the year – which also happened to be St. Lucia’s Day, December 13th – a light suddenly appeared on Lake Vanern. It was a large white boat filled with food, and at the helm was a beautiful young woman in a white gown wearing a crown of lights. Lucia had come to rescue the Swedes! As soon as the ship was unloaded, it disappeared.

– from Zion Online

 

 

St. Lucia Day Breakfast

Traditionally, the eldest daughter often plays “St. Lucia,” donning a white robe, red ribbons, and a crown of candles and lingonberry greens, meant to symbolize new life in the darkest days of winter. She carries Lussekatter, Pepparkakor, and often Swedish Orange Cookies.  All these delicious breakfast food is accompanied by coffee of course!  All the children are involved, as other female children dress in white too, just without the crown.  Boys dress traditionally and carry a star.  The parents are in bed and receive this scrumptious meal from their children.  A beautiful way to honor parents and at the same time honor a girl, St. Lucia who wholeheartedly followed after God.

 

 

St. Lucia Day Song

 

Here is the English translation…

Santa Lucia Song

Night walks with heavy steps
Round yard and hearth,
As the sun departs from earth,
Shadows are brooding.
Therein our dark house,
Walking with lit candles,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Night walks grand, yet silent,
Now hear its gentle wings,
In every room so hushed,
Whispering like wings.
Look, at our threshold stands,
White-clad with light in her hair,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Darkness shall take flight soon,
From earth’s valleys.
So she speaks
Wonderful words to us:
A new day will rise again
From the rosy sky . . .
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

 

 

Swedish Hearts

Traditionally Swedish hearts are made with red and white cardstock.  They make lovely Christmas ornaments as well as a beautiful banner.  What I really like about these hearts is that they are easy to make with many age levels.  Another bonus is that I usually always have red and white cardstock or construction paper on hand.

 

 

 

 

 

St. Lucia Day Books

 

Lucia Saint of Light

 

 

Lucia Child of Light

 

 

 Traditional Swedish Table Prayer

 

I Jesu namn till bords vi gå,

välsigna Gud den mat vi få.

Gud till ära, oss till gagn,

så få vi mat i Jesu namn.

 

English translation

In Jesus’ name to the table we go,

God bless the food we receive.

To God the honor, us the gain,

So we have food in Jesus’ name.”

 

 

Happy St. Lucia Day!

 

Blessings,

 

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