Day 5. Sankta Lucia: Bearing Light Through the Darkness.

Sankta Lucia (Saint Lucy’s Day), celebrated on December 13th, is a core cultural tradition in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. It bridges Christian legend with ancient Nordic midwinter customs, becoming a pivotal festival of light in the deep northern darkness.

The Crown of Light

The tradition centers around a girl, chosen as Lucia, who wears a crown of candles and a white gown tied with a red sash. She leads a procession of “handmaidens” and “star boys,” bringing light, song, and saffron buns (lussekatter) to wake people in the pre-dawn hours. The feast day honors Saint Lucia of Syracuse, a martyr known for secretly bringing food to persecuted Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, using a candle wreath to free her hands.

Hope in the Darkness

In the dark Scandinavian winter, Lucia is the bearer of light (Lux). Her procession is a powerful, collective act of willing the sun’s return, driving away the brooding shadows, and reminding the community that warmth and hope are not lost. For Unitarian Universalists, the Lucia procession is a vivid example of prophetic hope-the commitment to visibly and actively carry light into the darkest places.

“Into our dark house she comes, bearing lighted candles. . . The night treads heavily. . . Into our dark house she comes, bearing lighted candles.” – Swedish Lucia Song

Reflection: What light-bearing role can you take on to bring warmth and hope into the dark spaces of your community or the world?

Learn More

Discover the Origins of Lucia in Sweden – Read about the cultural and mythical blend that makes Lucia a foundational Swedish tradition, linking the saint to pre-Christian legends.
Explore the Saint’s History – Learn about the historical and religious background of Saint Lucy, the patron saint of the blind and those with eye ailments, whose name means “light.”