The Swedish Yule begins on December 13 with Luciadagen, Saint Lucy's Day...Lucia was born in Syracuse, Sicily, in the fourth century. Tradition says she cut out her eyes because their beauty attracted a heathen nobleman. She was denounced as a Christian and condemned to death during the reign of Diocletian...Scandinavian observance of Lucia's festival has come down through the centuries. In some parts of Sweden old people used to say that the Lucia Bride, clothed in white and crowned with light, could be seen between three and four o'clock in the morning on December 13, moving across icy lakes and snow-covered hills with food and drink for parish folk.
On December 13, Yuletide is opened officially in cities and villages by a young girl re-enacting the role of the Lucia Bride, who visits each household at dawn with a tray of coffee and cakes. In Stockholm, Lucia is chosen by popular vote in much the same way as beauty queens are elected in the United States. In the homes, however, Lucia usually is represented by the oldest daughter in the family.
Of the many folk customs that exist in connection with Luciadagen, one of the most interesting is that the year's threshing, spinning, and weaving must be finished and everything put in order for the Christmas holidays. Before this day boys and girls finish making Christmas presents. The housewife completes her weeks of holiday baking and makes the tallow dips for table and Christmas tree; the lutfisk, traditional Christmas fish, is already buried in beech ashes, so it will be sweet for the holiday feast...
LUCIA CEREMONY CHARACTERS: Lucia Bride
Optional:2 Girl Attendants Little Stars (if there are little children , the family)
Optional Star Boys (Stjärngossarna) AGE: Pre-teen—Teen
NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS: As many children as in the family; additional friends and neighbors as desired
EQUIPMENT: For Lucia Bride, large tray, of copper if possible, set with small matching coffee service, two or three cups and saucers, plates of cakes; for Little Stars, tiny silver wands, decorated on top with silver Christmas tree stars; piano if desired
When it is time to serve refreshments, turn off the electricity and light all the candles. Luciadagen is the festival of light! Lucia and her attendants then enter singing the Swedish Lucia song, to the tune of "Santa Lucia":
Night goes with silent steps Round house and cottage. Over the earth that the sun forgot Dark shadows linger. Then on our threshold stands Whiteclad, with candles in her hair, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. (English version by Holger Lundbergh)
Lucia is the embodiment of the Christmas spirit in a simple long white robe, crimson sash and stockings, and a crown of huckleberry leaves (as a good substitute for the shiny lignon leaves used in Sweden). Wired to the crown are the traditional nine white candles which, to avoid fire hazard, should remain unlighted.
Lucia, carrying the coffee service on the copper tray, goes to the guests and holds it so they may serve themselves. Her attendants furnish china, silver, and napkins from the party table and replenish the tray.
Lucia's attendants are dressed similarly to herself, with the exception of the special crown which she alone wears. When there are small children in the family, they may be included in the ceremony as Little Stars, wearing simple white slips and peaked silver-paper caps and carrying the silver wands. If there are older boys, they may play the role of the Stjärngossarna), or Star Boys, who in Sweden often accompany Lucia as she makes parish rounds. The boys wear white robes and their tall peaked silver caps are adorned with moon and star cutouts. One boy carries an illumined paper star which is fastened to a pole and revolves like a pinwheel.
The Lucia Bride and her attendants serve traditional saffron-seasoned buns known as lussekatter, or "Lucia cats," which are made in the shape of an X, with curledup ends and raisin eyes, and ginger cookies called pepparkakor.
Much of the charm of the Lucia Fest lies in the opportunity it gives the young people of the family to help entertain. After refreshments have been enjoyed, it will be quite natural and enjoyable for the guests to gather around the piano and sing the beloved Christmas carols. Everyone will want to know about the Lucia custom, so the girls will tell the story of how this kind of coffee party originated centuries ago in Sweden, and how, even today, the Lucia Bride visits not only her own family, but hospitals, orphanages, and old peoples' homes as well. She calls on everyone who is ill or lonely, just as her medieval counterpart was said to have done.
REFRESHMENTS Lussekatter (Lucia Buns) Pepparkakor (Ginger Cookies)
lussekatter
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