I love my boys! They have brought so many things to this girly-girl: baseball, stick collections, and energetic wrestling matches, just to name a few. And honestly I have never thought of adding something new to the holiday season. But as I posted on traditions I began to think about Santa Lucia. I told my husband that perhaps it would be okay because I am Norwegian and now we have girls! This celebration has fond memories for my husband as he grew up in a Swedish congregation on Chicago’s North side. And since he grew up in an all boy (and non-Swedish) household, his family probably did not celebrate this holiday outside of the church.
My husband and I wouldn’t want to adopt things that are not really part of our culture and would have no meaning, so I did some research. I found that Santa Lucia is celebrated throughout the Scandinavian countries and even has some roots in Germany. Her story, which like many saints’ stories is dramatic and gruesome, is the tale of her mother’s pursuit of healing, and her own devotion to her mothers healer, Christ the Bridegroom. Her desire to be possessed by Christ rather than by earthly suitors resulted in her martyrdom, and in her becoming a patron saint of chastity, eyes, and light.
The idea of Naomi and Gwenna dressing in white, Naomi in a wreath with candles, singing and serving coffee and rolls, sounds delightful. In this crazy head of mine I am even wondering if I could make special robes for the girls that they could wear year after year. Oh, the possibilities are endless! There is a family in our church who visits every year to a different house of someone in the community, serving rolls and coffee on the Saturday after St. Lucy’s day. Is it our turn? What do you think?
you have a beautiful family nicole!! congrats to you and andy. I haven’t seen alex and joseph since just after their tea party when they turned 5(?) and charles was a toddler. we would love to catch up sometime. you can see some of our family photos at http://www.myspace.com/fromscatteredtribe
with love,
Tiffany, Matt, Isaiah, Aidan, Ephraim, and Asher Nixon
Yes, Tiffany, Alex and Joseph had a tea party for their 5th birthday. But you forget a snowy November day where we helped you move all of your worldly possessions into a moving truck headed for AZ. But I can understand why you dont remember seeing the boys on that day. You were moving and either postpardum or VERY pregnant. You gave us a fish and a frog which lived several years here in Madison.
WOW! I am so glad you took at peek at my blog. Got to know how you found me.
I too, would love to catch up.
Blessings to you this Advent.