St. Lucia's Day

Today, December 13, is known as St. Lucia's Day, otherwise called The Festival of Lights. It occurs approximately one week after St. Nikolaus' Day. When St. Nicolas brought gifts to the boys in the villages, St. Lucia visited girls with gifts a week later. In some areas, Lucia became the Christ child and would wear the candle wreath on her head.

Lucia is said to have been beheaded by the sword during the persecutions of the Christians in Sicily. Her body was later brought to Constantinople and finally to Venice, where she rests now in the church of Santa Lucia. Because her name means "light", she very early on became the patron saint for the "light of the body"--the eyes. Many of the ancient light and fire customs of the Yuletide became associated with her. Today, "Lucy candles" are lit in the homes and "Lucy fires" burn outdoors during the advent season.

Traditionally, in the early hours of the morning of December 13th, a young woman, dressed in a white gown, and wearing a red sash and a crown of loganberry twigs and blazing candles, would go from one farm to another carrying a torch to light her way, stopping by each house with saffron buns and steaming coffee. She would return home by break of day. Every German village and each family had its own Lucia - usually the youngest daughter, who would wake the family in the morning with this tradition as well.

Today, many villages in Germany celebrate December 13th with a Festival of Lights….