Sweden: Lucia Festival of Lights
Japanese tourists were frightened by the sight of Lucia standing next to their bed in a luxury hotel room in the middle of the night; Germans were critical of the hotel’s security; Americans and Canadians thought it was just awesome, and local Swedes found it highly amusing and uplifting. But you probably will not catch Lucia making the rounds in hotels anymore, since the days that tourists expressed their fears to the police. But she is still a vibrant part of the winter culture all over Sweden.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, each village in Sweden chooses a beautiful young woman to play the part of the legendary angel named Lucia who wears flaming candles in a tiara on top her head and walks around blessing people with an entourage of young boys following to hold the train of her gown. She is part Pagan goddess, part Mother Mary, and part guardian angel, and has been a part of the traditional heritage of Sweden for centuries. You can give her alms, flowers, or gifts, and the ones of believe in the power of Lucia say that your entire year will be brighter and more blessed thanks to her beatific gaze.
While in Sweden, be sure to try their special bread loaves that are spiced with the exotic cardamom spice that comes from Central America and India. Or score a loaf at the village bakery to share with Lucia, if you are lucky enough to find her beside your bed one night.