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
2 comments:
Thanks for posting this. I hadn't seen these pictures. I can't wait to spend a Christmas with you so I can be part of it.
Your story is delightful. I have been making Sant Lucia buns and crowns for at least 4o years. For the service we are planning I need a Santa Lucia crown like the one in your photos. Can you tell me where I can purchase one. Many thanks and Happy Santa Lucia Day!
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