Story:
One of the earliest Christian martyrs, St. Lucia was killed by the Romans in 304 CE because of her religious beliefs. In the midst of the Winter that she was killed, Lucia steered a ship across the waters of Lake Vännern in the province of Värmland with a shining light and filled with food. The people of Sweden were saved from starvation.
In earlier centuries the Norse celebrated the winter solstice with large bonfires intended to scare off evil spirits and to alter the course of the sun. The name Lucia, is derived from lux meaning light.
Celebration:
In Scandinavian countries each town elects its own St. Lucia. The festival begins with a procession led by the St. Lucia designee, who is followed by young girls dressed in white and wearing wreaths on their heads.
The festival marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia, and it is meant to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. The specific timing, and her name meaning light, are important factors in the particular devotion to Saint Lucy, as both her name and the way she is represented points towards the celebration of light or solar worship.
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