St. Lucy December 13
“Santa Lucia, thy light is glowing
Through darkest winter night, comfort bestowing.”
—Swedish Children’s Folk Song.
Already today, this December 13 in the darkest hours of the morning (2 a. m. to 4 a. m.), in Sweden and Norway, the eldest daughter of a family—wearing a white gown, a red sash, and with a crown of lingonberry twigs and seven blazing candles on her head—emerges out of the darkness carrying a tray of rich saffron buns and steaming coffee, to wake up her family. Every village also has its own Lucy who goes from one farm to the next carrying a torch to light her way, bringing cookies and buns to each house and returning home by daybreak.
The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for literature often has the honor of lighting the candles on the head of the “Lucy” for the city of Stockholm. Throughout Sweden, the feast day of Lucy is celebrated as a festival of lights, with bonfires rich with incense and candlelight parades. How in the world did this honoring of St. Lucy become so important in Scandinavia, when the original Lucy was a native of Sicily? The tradition of honoring Lucy may have taken hold in Sweden after Vikings who traveled south on peaceful trading expeditions to Italy brought back stories of the early Christian martyr, Lucia.
December 13 in our calendar is almost the shortest day of the year. Somehow the Scandinavians began to honor a young Sicilian girl, Lucy, whose name means “light,” at a time during the darkest part of their year. It is all a mystery; but the tradition is beautiful.
I especially honor this day because two friends who carried the light of Christ to so many people died on this day seven years apart. Another light bearer who was our great teacher and friend is having major heart surgery today. So, in my own prayers on St. Lucy Day, I remember special friends who have brought light out of darkness to so many; but I especially remember those in my own life who showed me the light in times of darkness.
This is my Advent suggestion: for you to remember today, on St. Lucy Day, those who brought the light of Christ, the light of God, the light of the Spirit to you.
This is a special tradition that the Scandinavians have given us to remember the light that shines in our darkness. We can also carry the tradition to our homes. In the past, our family has often celebrated St. Lucy Day during the second week of Advent, with our oldest granddaughter serving buns at an Advent family service. She dresses in white with a red sash and carries a candle as we all say together the traditional song above, that Lucy sings on her rounds.
Joanna . joannaseibert.com