Christmas in Sweden, and most of Scandinavia, begins on December 13th, the feast day of Santa Lucia, bringer of light and patron saint of vision. Born in 283 in Syracuse Sicily, Lucia was known to bring food and supplies to persecuted Christians hiding underground, wearing a wreath of candles upon her head to light the way.

She was betrothed to a pagan, but vowed to remain unmarried, wanting to dedicate her life to helping others. Refusing to be married and named a Christian, she was tortured by having her eyes removed and finally martyred. Before the Gregorian calendar reform, Santa Lucia’s feast day fell on the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year in Sweden, a country she is rumored to have visited in her short life. Today, Swedes continues to honor her as the virtuous bride, bringing joyful light to their dark winter days.

On the morning of her feast day, the oldest daughter in each family dresses in a white robe and a wreath of candles on her head, delivers sweet rolls (called lussekatt) and coffee to her parents by candlelight.

The sisters of the Lucia Bride wear a wreath of tinsel in their hair and a piece tied around their waist, while the boys have tall pointed caps sprinkled with stars. Awakened by the lights and the singing, the parents arise and eat the breakfast served, thus ushering in the Christmas season.

As Lucia Day comes at the darkest time of year, the candles of the ministering Santa Lucia portend and witness to the True Light-the birth of Christ. On the morning of the thirteenth of December, the strains of "Santa Lucia" are heard everywhere in Scandinavia as the white-robed maiden comes out of the night with her burning crown of candles. In honor of her martyrdom, It has long been the custom to donate money on Lucia Day to institutions working for the blind.

Santa Lucia Nightly, go heavy hearts Round farm and steading On earth, where sun departs, shadows are spreading. Then on our darkest night, Comes with her shining light Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Then on our darkest night, Comes with her shining light Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. Night-darkling, huge and still. Hark, something’s stirring! In all our silent rooms, Wingbeats are whisp’ring! Stands on our threshold there, White clad, lights in her hair, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Stands on our threshold there, White clad, lights in her hair, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! “Darkness shall fly away Through earthly portals!” She brings such wonderful words to us mortals! “Daylight, again renewed, will rise, all rosy-hued!” Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! “Daylight, again renewed, will rise, all rosy-hued!” Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Sankta Lucia Natten går tunga fjät runt gård och stuva. Kring jord, som sol'n förlät, skuggorna ruva. Då i vårt mörka hus stiga med tända ljus Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. Då i vårt mörka hus stiga med tända ljus Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. Natten är stor och stum. Nu hör! det svingar i alla tysta rum sus som av vingar. Se på vår tröskel står vitklädd, med ljus i hår Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. Se på vår tröskel står vitklädd, med ljus i hår Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. "Mörkret skall flykta snart ur jordens dalar." Så hon ett underbart ord till oss talar. Dagen skall åter ny stiga ur rosig sky. Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia. Dagen skall åter ny stiga ur rosig sky. Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia.

Lussekatter - St Lucia Bread Recipe
Dough
1 1/2 cups milk 2 (1/4 oz.) pkgs. active dry yeast 1/4 cup sugar, plus 1 T. sugar 6 T. butter, cut in pieces		2 large eggs 1/4 cup orange juice 1 T. finely grated orange rind 1 t. salt 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 cups flour
Glaze and garnish:
	2 1/2 C. powered sugar 2-4 T. orange juice 1/3 C. dried cranberries
Warm the milk in a small saucepan, then pour 1/2 cup of it into a large bowl. Add the yeast and 1 T. of the sugar and let it sit for 5 min. Melt the butter in the remaining milk. Add butter/milk mixture to the yeast mixture. Whisk in the eggs, juice, 1/4 cup sugar, orange rind, and salt. Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough can be gathered into a ball. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 min., adding more flour until the dough is smooth and elastic and doesn't stick to your hands. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning it once to coat it. Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a 30-inch rope and braid the ropes together. Transfer the braid to a greased baking sheet, pinch together the ends to form a circle and let it rise until doubled in size, about 45 min. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 min., or until golden brown, then let cool on a wire rack about 30 min. For the glaze, stir together the confectioner's sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the bread, then garnish with cranberries. Add candles for "wreath."

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Created November 1, 2008
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