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Santa
Lucia Celebration
The story of Lucia tells of a terrible famine in Sweden and people
were
close to death from starvation when a large white ship appeared across
the lake.
At the helm was a maiden, dressed in gleaming white, her head encircled
by a
crown of radiant beams. As the vessel touched shore, great quantities
of
food and clothing appeared with her for the starving. When asked her
name, she
simply replied, "Lucia". When all were fed and cared for,
the vessel
disappeared as quickly as it had come.
The legend of Santa Lucia dates back to the year 304 A. D. in Sicily.
Lucia was born to a noble Christian family during the days of persecution
of
Christians. While still very young she promised to dedicate her life
to serving
to the poor. When betrothed she refused the man and gave all her dowry
to the
poor. He reported her as Christian and she was to be burned at the stake.
Her body did not burn and she became radiant with light as she died.
The story of this Christian martyr in Sicily is celebrated in the land
of dark long nights of the North in Scandinavia.
In Scandinavia, and especially Sweden, the annual celebration on
December 13 is especially beautiful. A young woman in each family is
selected
to
represent Santa Lucia. Dressed in a white robe with a crimson sash about
her
waist she wears a crown of lighted candles adorned with leaves. She
awakens the
members of the household early singing the hymn, "Santa Lucia"
and serves
steaming coffee, freshly baked bread and saffron buns at each bedside.
The lighting of the candles on the crown of Santa Lucia is a special
welcome of light during the darkest time of the year, dispelling darkness and gloom and sending good will, peace and hope to the world.
2007 Lucia –
Lindsey Rose Hutchison
Lindsey is the daughter of Heather Hutchison and the niece of
Michael and Greta Hutchison. She was born and raised in Santa Cruz, and
from the age of 4 has been in the Lucia pageant. Greta, her aunt from
Sweden, is a member of the Zaida Singers and has taught Lindsey to sing
in Swedish.
Our past Lucias (click
for pictures)
1989 Anna Johnson
1990 Elisabet Anhorn
1991 Kari Olson
1992 Nora Baer
1993 Linnea Holgers
1994 Alison Hunter
1995 Amber Merriman
1996 Amy Grosch
1997 Tova Baer
1998 Maree Thurston
1999 Melissa Mabie
2000 Alise Lindquist
2001 Chantelle Richter
2002 Leah Thurston
2003 Emma Hutchison
2004 Haley Haugaard
2005 Anna Baer
2006 Gabrielle Corbett
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