Scandinavian Christmas and Saint Lucia's Day

Saint Lucia's Day, also known as Saint Lucy's Day, falls on December 13 and is the first day of the Christmas season in Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and Norway. This day is the darkest and longest day of the year in Scandinavia which makes it the perfect day to begin celebrations. St. Lucia of Syracuse was a young Christian martyr from Sicily who lived during the 4^th century. She is one of the most popular virgin martyrs, killed by a sword in 304 A.D. because she refused to honor a pagan god.

The name Lucia means "light" and through the ages, the Christmas lights tradition came to be through the Saint Lucia Day celebrations. All over the world, people decorate their homes and yards with Christmas lights, not knowing anything about Saint Lucia, the saint of light.

Saint Lucia's Day Christmas Traditions

Start a new Christmas tradition by celebrating a Scandinavian Christmas with a few St. Lucia Day events. In Scandinavia, a young girl is picked during the celebration to dress up like St. Lucia. The girl wears a white gown and a red sash around her waist which symbolizes purity and faith. On her head is placed a crown made of lingenberry and lighted candles, symbolizing eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Handmaids, dressed in white and boys known as "star lads" wear silver stars on pointed hats and white, robe like shirts. They carry lighted candles and follow Saint Lucia from house to house, singing songs commemorating Saint Lucia. They carry trays of glogg, coffee, saffron buns, and gingerbread cookies, serving the treats to the poor.

Traditional Saint Lucia Song

Everyone in Scandinavia knows this traditional Saint Lucia's song. The words may be a little different depending upon which country it is sung but the theme remains the same. This particular song was recorded by Elvis Presley, Caruso, and Mario Lanza.

Saint Lucia Song

Santa Lucia, thy light is glowing
Through darkest winter night, Comfort bestowing.
Dreams float on dreams tonight
Comes then the morning light,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia

Saint Lucia Prayer

Saint Lucia, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, and our conversation -- every corner of our day. Amen.

Celebrate St. Lucia

Santa Lucia Legend

Sweden's Lucia Day