DECEMBER THIRTEENTH

SERINA AND FRIENDS CELEBRATING SANTA LUCIA

HISTORY OF LUCIADAGEN

In Sweden, December 13 is Luciadagen,
or St. Lucia's Day.  It is the
beginning of their holiday season.
St. Lucia was a young woman who lived
in first century Rome.
She was a Christian who would not give up her
faith to marry an unbeliever.
She was tortured and killed by order of
the Roman Emperor, Diocletian.

Stories of her courage were brought
to Sweden by missionaries where
she became known as the Lucia Bride.
Old people said the Lucia Bride
would go out early in the morning to
bring food and drink to the poor.
She wore white robes and a crown of light.

The story is acted out in Swedish homes
with the oldest daughter playing
the Lucia Bride.  Early in the morning on
December 13, she brings her
parents a tray of sweet saffron buns and
some coffee.  She wears a white
gown and a crown of greens, often made of holly.
Her sisters and brothers
dress in white and follow her.  The girls carry lit
candles and the boys
wear tall, pointed caps and are called "star boys."

St. Lucia is also honored in Sicily,
where she was born.  Christians there
gather to celebrate her day with bonfires
and torchlight parades...
a fitting celebration since Lucia means "light."

     Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
 www.billpetro.com/holidayhistory
Norwegian children actually also celebrate Lucia.
When Serina was just four three neighborhood moms,
yours truly included, baked buns, dressed the girls in
white pillowcases and followed the them from house
to house in the cold winter night.
The smiling faces of the surprised adults were so
inspiring for the girls, they did not want to stop until
all the baskets were emptied of buns and the voices
soar from singing.
I never forget the face of a lonely, elderly man.
"Are we supposed to get, not to give?"
That is the wonderful idea of Saint Lucia.