Lucia Day Celebrations

Tomorrow is Lucia Day!

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December 13th is filled with tradition in Norway, and throughout all of Scandinavia. It is the official beginning of the Christmas season for Norwegians.

As I work on updating the Norway unit study from the Vacation Education Books Epcot series I am reminded that one of my favorite ways to learn about a new country is through their holidays and festivals. One of the major festivals in Norway, and throughout all of Scandinavia, is the Festival of Lights held in honor of St Lucia Day on December 13th.

The oldest daughter of each household is selected to play the part of Lucia for the day. She wears a crown of greenery and candles to represent the hope of spring during the long winter days. Lucia leads a procession of children all dressed in white to the hospitals and nursing homes to deliver sweet breads and coffee.

You can find recipes for the famous Saffron bread or Lussekatter that is commonly served on Lucia Day. Here is a Norwegian native sharing her recipe and tips.

There are numerous stories about the miracles of Saint Lucia, but the consistent story of her life is that she was a Sicilian girl with wealthy parents. Her mother arranged her marriage, but Lucia had promised God that she would remain a virgin and serve the church.

When her betrothed found out that she had given her dowry to the poor, he reported her to Roman authorities as a Christian and she was found guilty. Legend says that the guards were unable to move her and so stacked wood around her to burn her, but the fire would not light. Her life ended with a knife to the neck. Yikes!

For something a little more light-hearted than a story that ends in a stabbing, you and your little ones might enjoy the content at PBSKids where Arthur and his friends learn about the Feast of Saint Lucia from a Swedish cousin.
You can have a simple St Lucia Day celebration of your own. 
Invite some friends and make some Norwegian breads and flavorful beverages, then take a trip to a homeless shelter and give the treats to those in need. Dressing in all white and wearing a crown with lit candles is entirely optional.

we are just getting started moving the unit studies from the old-school paperback format into an online forum with purchase and print options. Visit my publisher page at https://www.currclick.com/browse/pub/1195/Corinne-Johnson

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