The Legend of Sankta Lucia*

Since the Feast of St. Lucia is not on the Lutheran calendar, a few words of explanation might be in order.   The story of Lucia comes from the Fourth Century and a fair amount is legend, open to different interpretations.   The first Lucia, who lived on the island of Sicily, refused to marry her suitor, who was a pagan.   She gave her entire dowry to the poor people of her village and admitted that she had become a Christian.   Accused of witchcraft, she was taken prisoner and burned at the stake, December 13, 304 A.D.   Later, she was canonized by the early Church and thus received the name, Santa Lucia.

Christian missionaries brought Lucia's story with them when they traveled north, where they encountered the cult of the goddess of light.   In ancient times, the Swedes celebrated a festival of lights on the shortest day of the year, when their goddess appeared and promised the return of days of sunshine and assured the people that the frozen earth would again be fertile.   The missionaries "baptized" this goddess and identified her with St. Lucia, the Sicilian martyr.   According to one legend, Lucia appeared clothed in white with a crown of light encircling her head, carrying food and drink to hungry folk during a period of famine.   There are many legends, but in each one, Lucia becomes a symbol of light and hope and the feast day begins the celebration of Christmas.

The Swedish Christmas begins on December 13, the Day of Sankta Lucia.   The eldest daughter of the household, dressed in traditional white robe with crimson sash and wearing a crown with lighted candles, wakes the family singing the Sicilian melody, Santa Lucia.   She carries a tray with coffee and special saffron buns to each one in the family.

* Permission to reprint obtained from Augustana Lutheran Church, Hyde Park, Illinois.

Lisa Claros
Sancta Lucia 2009

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