Santa Lucia

This past Christmas I decided to carry on an old family tradition. When I was a little girl, on Christmas morning, my mom would dress me up as Santa Lucia, complete with electric candles in my hair, and I would carry hot cocoa and a piece of swedish tea ring to each member of my family.

Last year my mother-in-law, who grew up in Sweden, told me the story of Santa Lucia and how it is celebrated in Sweden.

"Lucia was a saint, a very good person who brought food to the hungry people in Sweden during the longest, darkest, winter night, a long time ago. [She] wore a crown with candles to brighten the dark days in Sweden."* She was later martyred. This is just part of one version of the legend.

Now, Santa Lucia ushers in the Christmas season. Early in the morning of December 13th, the oldest daughter in the family in Sweden has the privilege of being the Lucia, wearing a long white gown sashed in red, with a wreath of lingonberry leaves on her hair. Candles - now usually run on batteries - are set into the wreath. Her sisters wear white gowns with tinsel in their hair and around their waists. Boys in the family wear tall pointed hats with stars on them. The "Starboys" traditionally are associated with the three wise men. The children awaken their parents and offer them coffee, saffron-flavored buns called Lussekatter and ginger snaps, called pepparkakor.*

This past December my daughter was Lucia. Since my husband leaves for work early in the morning I invited a friend over to celebrate Lucia Day. On December 13th, I got up early and made cinnamon buns and coffee. Then I dressed my daughter as Lucia. Since I didn't have a Lucia robe, she wore one of my husband's white t-shirts. She did a wonderful job serving us and later that evening serving her daddy. For Christmas her nana got her a book about Santa Lucia and a Lucia robe.

Santa Lucia is a fun tradition and I celebrate it in honor of both my moms. I know the holidays have come and gone but I wanted to share that story anyway.

*Taken from Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker

Celestial Wonders

Reading Heather's blog post, "Contentment on a Moonlit Night", stirred some nostalgic memories in me. Watching the eclipse of the moon was just the beginning of our delights in God's celestial wonders.

Who needs fireworks when God puts on a brilliant lightning display?

Try outrunning a storm with the rain beating down right behind you.

Watch a gorgeous sunset from high in the branches of a flamboyant tree. The most talented artist could not create anything more colorful or beautiful.

Invite your friends to a night around the campfire, complete with shooting stars... and deliver. Don't forget to make a wish!
What can compare to the amazing star-studded skies of Africa?

How comforting to look out the window of the plane and see a perfectly round rainbow with the shadow of the plane in its center. God promises to watch over us.

All of these things I experienced with delight and wonder. Since I have left Africa it seems I am too busy to notice the wonders of heaven I once enjoyed. Too long has it been since I gazed at the stars, watched an entire sunset, and marveled at God's amazing handiwork. I have forgotten to look up. As the Psalmist says, "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man that Thou art mindful of him?" "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork." Look up!