Lucia

In the darkest times of December a white dressed girl glides through the cold carrying a crown of candles followed by several girls and boys dressed in white. She brings warmth and joy and lights up hearts. The date is the 13th and the snow has landed like a powder over the Swedish shore. In the early morning a song about the greatness of Lucia breaks the silence and fill the bedrooms, churches and streets. Everywhere there is a celebration of Lucia, the saint who showed mercy upon the poor once in Sicily. But the Swedish tradition tells another story of the celebration. The 13th of December was a special night even before the tale of Lucia was told in the North. The darkness was the most compact and the night was the longest of the year. The people believed in Lussi, an evil demon who would kidnap you if you hadn’t behave or hadn’t prepared the Christmas celebration. On this special night, the people also believed in the ability of speaking animals. This night was cursed and therefor more light to frighten the darkness was needed. Because of that a woman of light should spread joy in the houses. In other parts of Sweden the celebration had it’s roots in the collecting of money for the cathedral schools. Pupils went from houses to houses singing the song of happiness and mercy.

Silver sparkling ropes are wrapped around the girls waist and in there hands a smaller candle is burning. According to the Italian celebration of Lucia, Lucia was killed in a bonfire made by the soldiers who didn’t approve of the donation she made for the poor. The red band around Lucia’s waist symbolised this fire. Songs are filling the air and bring strength to carry on until Christmas. Northern tradition is now formed to be a start of the Christmas celebration and Advent. Advent it selves is a countdown for Christmas and a time for reflection of the happiness you've experienced during the year. The new year of the church begins on the first of advent. Lucia’s and the choir’s songs bring strength to carry on until Christmas through the midwinter.