St. Lucy

I stole most of this from a website that I can no longer find. Then I edited the crap out of it. This is probably just me testing my editing skills, or maybe it's something else entirely. Wouldn't be impossible. Anyway, I just thought some of you might enjoy this. Isn't it always good to learn new things. **I didn't write this** I only edited it**

Sweden

St. Lucia Day

St. Lucia's Day is the first day of the Christmas Celebration in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. On the morning of December 13th, a young girl previously elected is dressed up as Lucia in a white gown with a red sash, and with a crown of lingenberry and lit candles on her head. Followed by all her handmaids and some boys called star lads, all carrying lit candles in their hands, she goes from house to house (or just into her parent's bedroom with her younger siblings as star lads and handmaids) singing songs dedicated to Lucia, and offering coffee or wine (glögg) mulled with almonds and raisins, saffron buns, and ginger bread cookies.

Over a thousand years ago, King Canute of the Norsemen declared that Christmas would begin with her feast, and last for a month.

Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily in 283 A.D., the daughter of wealthy parents; her father Roman, her mother Greek. Traditions say she was raised as a Christian, but sadly her father died when she was young. It was said that Lucy was quite beautiful, and had many admirers, but she had decided to give her life to serving the Christian God and refused all suitors. Lucy made a secret vow of virginity, but her mother was pressing her to marry a rich unbeliever.

For three years Lucy resisted being forced into that marriage unwillingly. At the same time, according to the legends she bought food which she smuggled to the Christians who where hiding from the Roman persecutors in dark underground tunnels. To light her way, and free her hands to carry bread, Lucy wore a wreath of candles on her head. It was the times of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who severely persecuted the church.

It is said that her mother, Eutychia, suffering a severe sickness, had been healed as she prayed with her daughter beside the grave of St. Agatha (who had been killed by the Romans 52 years previously). As a result, Lucy was allowed to break her engagement and Lucia gave her dowry of money and jewels to the poor instead. When her former fiancée heard about this, he cruelly reported her to the Roman authorities.

It is here that the blood red sash of Lucia's costume is explained. We do not know the details of her suffering and death. Some legends tell of several deliverances from torture and execution attempts. Lucy may have been abused, burned, beheaded, or stabbed through the heart. Regardless of how she died, judging by the impact her trials had upon later Christians, it is clear she demonstrated a strong faith and much courage both in living and in dying for the Lord Jesus she loved.

Today Lucia is celebrated by a beauty pageant originally arranged by a Swedish newspaper in the twenties. Each year, a national Lucia is proclaimed, while every town and village chooses its own Lucia. Many a Miss Sweden has started out as the local Lucia. On Lucia Day, the winner is announced and is then driven around town, preferably in a horse-drawn vehicle of some kind, to spread light and song in food stores, factories, old-age homes and medical centres.