What is the legend behind Santa Lucia Day, December 13?
The Feast of Santa Lucia is celebrated all over Sweden and Norway on December 13. Yet, no one knows for sure why a 4th. Century Sicilian (Italian) saint came to be so revered in Scandinavia . Santa Lucia day begins very early in the morning on December 13 in Scandinavian homes. The oldest daughter of the house, usually dresses in a long white gown, dons a crown of evergreens and lighted candles on her head, sings Santa Lucia, and serves special Lucia cakes and warm drinks to the rest of the family who are still in bed. The tradition, which can be traced to Italy , honors a young wealthy Christian bride-to-be who gave away her dowry to the poor, an act which angered her prospective groom and caused him to report her Christian religion to the Roman authorities. She was condemned to death by fire. Legend has it that just before she died an intense inner light transformed Lucia and everyone present fell prostrate. Thus Lucia, a sign of light and hope to the poor died, illuminated by a heav
