Winter Solstice: St. Lucia’s Day

Saint Lucia’s Day is a December holiday in Scandinavia. It is on December 13. December 13 was the winter solstice in the Julian calendar in use when the holiday started.

St. Lucia’s Day is very important in Scandinavia. Even for those who are not practicing Christians, the holiday is an important cultural event. 

Who was St. Lucia?

St. Lucia was a young Italian woman who lived in the 3rd century. She was a Christian at a time when it was dangerous to belong to that faith. 

St. Lucia brought food to the poor and to Christians in hiding. When she went to Christians, she traveled at night. This is where the tradition of her wreath of candles comes from. 

Why does St. Lucia wear a wreath of candles?

St. Lucia put the candles in a wreath on her head so that both hands could be free to carry food when she snuck out at night. 

Remember, this was before electricity. Candles were the flashlight of St. Lucia’s day. 

Whether or not the wreath of candles was a reality or the story evolved over the years, what everyone agrees on is that St. Lucia was a Christian who brought food to the poor and hungry.

Why was the woman Lucia made a saint?

In general terms, Christians call anyone who is a practicing Christian a “saint.”

More specifically, some Christian traditions, most notably Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, select specific people known for their piety and, perhaps, miraculous works, to be capital-S Saints.

It is uncertain where history ends and legend begins. St. Lucia’s story is that the Roman government tried to execute Lucia when she was a teenager or in her early 20s. At the time, being a Christian was illegal and Lucia would not recant. The penalty was execution. 

The story is that the Roman soldiers tried multiple ways of executing St. Lucia (or St. Lucy), but nothing worked until a dagger or sword was thrust through her throat.

St. Lucia’s commitment to her faith, even in the face of execution, earned her a place among those remembered as Christian martyrs. 

Eventually, those Christian traditions that have Saints recognized Lucia as a Saint.

How is St. Lucia’s Day observed today?

As with many national holidays that are of religious origins, St. Lucia’s Day is currently celebrated with a mix of secular and religious practices. 

In Scandinavia, a procession of girls, and sometimes boys, wearing white robes with red sashes will be led by a girl with a leafy crown and candles on her head. Thankfully, the candles today can be battery-powered.  

The exact components of the procession will vary depending on the country. There may be boys dressed as elves or gingerbread men. There may be boys carrying stars. There may be a contest or a drawing for who gets to be the girl representing St. Lucia.

Whatever the precise traditions of the procession, St. Lucia’s day isn’t complete without food and sweet treats. Saffron buns are traditional. There might be ginger cookies. Other pastries are likely, accompanied by mulled wine and coffee (for the adults) and hot chocolate (for the children).

In some families, the oldest daughter dresses in a St. Lucia white robe and serves the family a breakfast of the saffron buns, etc.   

However St. Lucia’s day is celebrated, candlelight, treats, and singing are integral.