Santa Lucia Day

Here at school, we are learning about Sweden. Our big celebration will be Santa Lucia Day, which traditionally ushers in the Christmas season in Sweden, Italy and Bavaria. Lucy was a devout Christian girl martyred by the Romans. Today the celebration is a joyful one. Many towns have pageants and contests to select the most worthy girl to represent Lucia. Most families call upon their eldest daughter. She rises early, dresses in a white gown with a red sash about the waist and wears an evergreen crown topped by glowing candles. She may be accompanied by junior attendants, the girls dressed similarly, the boys wearing a conical hat decorated with stars. "Lucia" serves her family a traditional bun called Lussekatte or "Lucy cats."

At school, Raine, who is our eldest girl, will be our Lucia girl. She will wear the traditional costume including a crown made by our very handy dad, Bill and she will serve buns baked by our domestic goddess mom, Barbara. We have been making blue and gold paper chains to adorn the classroom as well as cut paper snowflakes. The kids have been making the starboys' signature hats and star-topped wands, too. We will carry these as we dance in celebration of Sweden and Santa Lucia and Christmas.

Sweden is fascinating. We have told stories about life near the arctic circle and the cold and sparse population which is very similar to the northern Canadian experience. We studied Canada earlier in the year. We have told stories about hotels made of and furnished with ice, the artist Carl Larsson, Swedish gnomes called "tomte" and Vikings. We also discussed how Sweden enjoys a high standard of living including generous vacations and maternity leave, no slums, health care for all and the 50% taxes that pay for all that. Swedes are some of the most content people on earth and they also have a high level of democracy and civic involvement. Go Sweden!