The life of St. Lucia (283 - 304 A.D), a young
Christian martyr, continues to be celebrated in December among Catholic,
Orthodox, and some Protestant Christians as a festival of light coinciding with
the Winter Solstice. The actual
date may vary – December 13th according to the Julian calendar, or
December 21st according to the Gregorian calendar. Some Scandinavian
peoples profess that vividly celebrating St. Lucy’s Day infuses them with inner
light that continues to warm and encourage them throughout their long winters.
One tradition suggests the oldest girl in a given family
wear a white dress, and a wreath or crown of greenery studded with white candles,
to represent St. Lucy. Then with
candles flaming above her head, she leads her parents and siblings while
carrying a tray of homemade sweets.
At the end of the procession she distributes the beautiful, delicious
breads.
Our son’s family is celebrating St. Lucia this evening. The oldest daughter in the family, now
5, has been practicing her role as Lucy wearing a wreath headdress with blazing
candles. Yesterday during Fancy
Day at my house we baked the special yeasted rolls she will distribute: Sweet Orange
Buns studded with snowy-looking, pearl-white sugars.
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