Happy Feast of St. Lucy! (12/13/23)
The name of Lucy means 'light-bearer' and is a day on the church calendar that anticipates the light that will arrive to us in the Nativity in the midst of great darkness. A fun tradition our family has on this day is to hop in the van and drive around to look at Christmas lights in surrounding towns.
St. Lucy’s Day is a beloved holiday particularly in Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, Sweden) where songs and festivals of light abound. An amazing tradition among them is that the oldest girl of the family will dress up as St. Lucy with a white dress (representing her purity), red sash (representing her martyrdom), and a wreath of candles on her head (representing the light of her name & crown of martyrdom). They will also bake and serve lussekatter rolls (yeast buns flavored with saffron, cinnamon, and raisins). The Catholic blog, Shower of Roses, is a great source of inspiration for this day.
Speaking of St. Lucy and the celebration of God’s light, you should check out my most recent video about the lost light of Eden, “Did Adam & Eve Once Glow?!”
Many of the Church Fathers and even Jewish Rabbis believed that Adam and Eve reflected God’s light and likeness before they fell into sin. The powerful message of Christmas is that mankind’s original glory is being restored in Christ! It is also why we should associate the Christmas tree with the Tree of Life as we teach our children about the reason behind our traditions. L'Osservatore Romano comments on this connection between the Tree of Life and the Christmas Tree:
“The most important clue to the origin of the Christmas tree as we know it comes from the mystery and miracle plays… These plays were first performed in the late Middle Ages and their purpose was to teach religion. As a rule, these religious plays were enacted for the celebration of an episode or of the saint whom they featured, and they became popular throughout Europe. A famous play was the performance put on for holy Christmas, celebrated on 25 December. On Christmas Eve, 24 December, Adam and Eve would be commemorated with the highly popular episode of the Tree of the earthly Paradise; they would tower on the stage together with the devil, disguised as a serpent, Eve picking an apple and Adam eating it. Original sin, expiated by Jesus born on the 25th, was symbolized on the night of 24 December. The tree ought to have been an apple tree, but since an apple tree would have been inappropriate in winter, a fir tree was set on the stage and some apples put on its branches or, to symbolize the future coming of Redemption, wafers prepared with crushed biscuits in special moulds that were symbols of the Eucharistic presence of Jesus, as well as sweets and gifts for children. Even when the religious tableaux were abandoned, the Tree of Paradise continued to be associated with Christmas in many people's minds.”1
Lastly, for those who would like to know more about St. Lucy, here is a wonderful summary of her life below.
Have a Blessed Feast of St. Lucy!
-Kyle
“During Diocletian's persecutions, the Christian maiden Lucy went with her mother on pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Agatha, to pray for her mother's healing from an ailment. Saint Agatha appeared to Lucy in a dream and said 'Lucy, my sister, why do you ask from me what your own faith can obtain? Your mother is healed. You will soon be the glory of Syracuse as I am of Catania.' Lucy's mother was healed from that day, and Lucy determined to consecrate herself entirely to God. She broke off an engagement to a nobly-born young man and gave her large dowry of land and jewels to the poor. Her would-be husband angrily denounced her as a Christian to the Governor of Syracuse.
At the tribunal, Lucy firmly confessed her faith in Christ and refused to make sacrifice to the gods. The Governor ordered that she be placed in a brothel, but his minions were unable to move her from the place where she stood, even when they tied her with ropes and attempted to drag her with oxen.
The Governor asked what witchcraft she used, to which she answered 'I do not use witchcraft, it is the power of God that is with me. Bring ten thousand of your men if you wish; they will not be able to move me unless God wills it.' The men then lit a fire around her, but it did not harm her. Finally, they beheaded her where she stood. With her last words, she predicted the deaths of Maximian and Diocletian, and the coming of peace to the Church.
Let us pray. Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation: that, like as we do rejoice in the festival of blessed Lucy thy holy Virgin and Martyr; so we may learn to follow her in all godly and devout affections. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/christmas-tree-legends-traditions-history-1763