Happy Saint Lucia Day!

Yesterday, December 13th, was St. Lucia Day.  Our family loves observing this traditional Swedish celebration.  Legend has it that once during a great famine in Sweden, Saint Lucia appeared with a circle of lights on her head to deliver food to people in need.  So, on this morning in Swedish homes today, children wake up early and  secretly prepare a special breakfast of coffee, saffron buns, and gingersnaps.  The oldest daughter in the family will then wear a white gown, red sash, and a crown of candles on her head to deliver the breakfast to her parents.

In our home, we bake St. Lucia Crown Bread and gingersnaps for St. Lucia Day.  We also sing a simple song and read the story of St. Lucia.

"Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia
Wearing white, wearing white
Lighting up the darkest, lighting up the darkest
Winter night, winter night.

Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia
Crown alight, crown alight
Hope in the darkest, hope in the darkest
Winter night, winter night."
(tune: Are You Sleeping?)

​Happy Saint Lucia Day!