St. Lucia Day in Sweden

December 13th

Lucia Day on December 13th is one of the highlights of the Christmas season. In Sweden and in Swedish families abroad such as mine, the day begins with the ritual drama of the Lucia breakfast.  Lying in bed, I hear the tape in the hall begin to play and the sound of my children’s voices singing along with the Swedish words. I open my eyes as Christina enters the room, dressed as Santa Lucia, in a white gown with red ribbon sash. The crown of electric candles on her heard twinkles in the dim light. In her hands, she carries a tray with a pot of tea, a pitcher of milk, four cups, and a pile of gingersnaps and lussekatter, Lucia “cats,” saffron yeast buns studded with raisins. Her older brother, Michael, follows, though he may or may not be wearing the traditional “starboy” costume of long white robe and cone-shaped paper hat embellished with gold stars that gleam like the star on the wand he carries.