Santa Lucia
According to the old Julian calendar, December 13th was the longest night of the year.
The ancient people were very much aware of the diminishing daylight and feared the cold
and hunger that accompanied the sun’s decline. Men yearned for a friendly spirit to
intercede, restoring light to the earth. Over many centuries, this spirit of light became
personified in St. Lucia, the Queen of Light. In the present day, St. Lucia’s Day is most
commonly celebrated in Sweden. Families all over Sweden are awakened by “Lucia”,
who is usually the eldest daughter and comes singing the ancient Sicilian song “Santa
Lucia”. Dressed in white and wearing a crown of lighted candles, she presents saffron
buns and Christmas cookies to members of the family. Students in the Second Grade
often participate in this festival as part of the study of saints.