Today, December 13, is one of the most famous of all Swedish celebrations: St. Lucia Day, a festival of light in the long dark Scandinavian winter. Traditionally the oldest girl in a family rises at dawn on St. Lucia Day - not necessarily as early as it sounds, given the few hours of daylight! Dressed in a white gown with a red sash around her waist and a wreath of candles on her head - these days electric crowns are often used, especially for small children - she goes from room to room singing carols and bearing her tray of lussekatter (saffron buns), gingerbread cookies, coffee, and glögg (hot spiced mulled wine).Although St. Lucia day has developed into a uniquely Swedish tradition, the original Lucia was actually a Sicilian martyr who was killed for her Christian faith in the early fourth century. There are various versions of the legend, but the most common says that Lucia fed and cared for the poor at a time when Christians were being persecuted. In order to be able to carry more supplies, she strapped candles to her head to keep her hands free.
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