This was so generous! Thank you for sharing so much with us. I now have a deep desire to be in Sweden on the winter solstice. Would there be places particular to celebrate from a non-sweed standpoint?
BOTH! I hadn’t thought of here closer to home. It would be so magical to be where it is so so dark but I could maybe travel somewhere closer since I don’t see Sweden happening this year.
Thank you for sharing your sacred tradition, Miriam. So beautiful. I can imagine how otherworldly it must have seemed to you in childhood. I hope the celebration still holds magic for you. ✨️
I've always been so enamored with Santa Lucia celebrations. It seems to conjure this sense of wonder, and joy...but in a way that isn't ostentatious. This essay made me feel the same sense of joyful stillness.
Beautiful, Miriam! Indeed, Lucia is otherwordly. Thank you for this perspective and remembrance of Sweden's perhaps most stunning celebration. Wrote about my Stockholm Old Town Lucia experience yesterday :). Happy Lucia and God Jul!
Thank you, Miriam. I watched the whole video and it returned me to my childhood. I even remembered many of the lyrics, and I certainly remember the darkness and the cold and that certain atmosphere. Peaceful.
XOXO Yes - it was nicely done, simple video. I loved it too. I of course only remember the the first refrain from the song... I really love the poem too. 😘
Oh Miriam. I loved reading about Santa Lucia. I’ve seen young girls performing this on television and thought it to be very beautiful. Thank you for sharing the video.
Hi Denise! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) I'm making my Lussekatter this afternoon, and having a tiny Lucia -Fika gathering tomorrow for my Garden Collective that I run. Happy weekend!
Miriam, thank you for this lovely essay about one of my favorite traditions. We celebrated Santa Lucia in my house when I was growing up--and as the eldest daughter, I had the honor of wearing a crown of candles (battery-operated) in my hair. For me, Christmas truly begins on December 13th...
Thank you for your note, Kaarin! Me too - on the 13th I start to think about decorating and baking. And planning feasts haha. Since my birthday is in early January, I tend to leave the decorations up until then. And that's enough.
Woaaaw! I never knew of this celebration called Santa Lucia. I really felt the ambience as I read the story behind it. The music is magical. You know, we were taught Santa Lucia back in primary school. At that time, we didn't know the origin of the song, since it was in English. I had totally forgotten the words except of course, the refrain, 'Sa-ant-aa Luci-i-a'. Thanks so much for sharing, Miriam.
This was so generous! Thank you for sharing so much with us. I now have a deep desire to be in Sweden on the winter solstice. Would there be places particular to celebrate from a non-sweed standpoint?
Oh good! I'm so glad you liked it. By places to celebrate, do you mean in Sweden? Or here in the US?
BOTH! I hadn’t thought of here closer to home. It would be so magical to be where it is so so dark but I could maybe travel somewhere closer since I don’t see Sweden happening this year.
Thank you for sharing your sacred tradition, Miriam. So beautiful. I can imagine how otherworldly it must have seemed to you in childhood. I hope the celebration still holds magic for you. ✨️
I've always been so enamored with Santa Lucia celebrations. It seems to conjure this sense of wonder, and joy...but in a way that isn't ostentatious. This essay made me feel the same sense of joyful stillness.
Yes. Wonder and joy in stillness. I love that, Kristen! 🙏
Beautiful, Miriam! Indeed, Lucia is otherwordly. Thank you for this perspective and remembrance of Sweden's perhaps most stunning celebration. Wrote about my Stockholm Old Town Lucia experience yesterday :). Happy Lucia and God Jul!
What a beautiful celebration! Your descriptions and photos helped bring it to life for me. Thank you for sharing it💖
Hope your Friday is beautiful, Kyra!
Thank you friend. I spent time with my mom and it was lovely 🥰
Thank you, Miriam. I watched the whole video and it returned me to my childhood. I even remembered many of the lyrics, and I certainly remember the darkness and the cold and that certain atmosphere. Peaceful.
XOXO Yes - it was nicely done, simple video. I loved it too. I of course only remember the the first refrain from the song... I really love the poem too. 😘
Oh Miriam. I loved reading about Santa Lucia. I’ve seen young girls performing this on television and thought it to be very beautiful. Thank you for sharing the video.
Wishing you a lovely day!
Maybe when I have a garden I can join:)
Absolutely!
Hi Denise! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) I'm making my Lussekatter this afternoon, and having a tiny Lucia -Fika gathering tomorrow for my Garden Collective that I run. Happy weekend!
Sounds lovely. Enjoy!
Miriam, thank you for this lovely essay about one of my favorite traditions. We celebrated Santa Lucia in my house when I was growing up--and as the eldest daughter, I had the honor of wearing a crown of candles (battery-operated) in my hair. For me, Christmas truly begins on December 13th...
Thank you for your note, Kaarin! Me too - on the 13th I start to think about decorating and baking. And planning feasts haha. Since my birthday is in early January, I tend to leave the decorations up until then. And that's enough.
Thank you for sharing the Santa Lucia celebration
So glad you liked it, Jen. Hope you have a lovely Lucia Day tomorrow!
Woaaaw! I never knew of this celebration called Santa Lucia. I really felt the ambience as I read the story behind it. The music is magical. You know, we were taught Santa Lucia back in primary school. At that time, we didn't know the origin of the song, since it was in English. I had totally forgotten the words except of course, the refrain, 'Sa-ant-aa Luci-i-a'. Thanks so much for sharing, Miriam.