St. Lucy’s feast day is December 13th! Her name could also be pronounced Saint Lucia. In this post, I’ll share a quick overview of her life and some simple ways to celebrate the feast day. If your family already honors St. Lucy, I’d love to hear your traditions! St. Lucy was born in Sicily around 283 and dedicated her life to God and serving the poor. When her mother arranged a marriage for her, the suitor—Paschasius—became furious upon learning she planned to remain a virgin. He reported her as a Christian, leading to her torture and martyrdom. Tradition says her eyes were removed, but when she was buried, they had been miraculously restored. Because of this, St. Lucy is honored as the patron saint of eyesight and the blind.
Traditionally on St. Lucy’s feast day, the oldest daughter (skip this part if only have boys:) of the family wears a white gown (or white dress), a red sash, and a green wreath (often with candles) on her head as a crown. The white gown is meant to signify purity since St. Lucy died a virgin. The red sash represents her martyrdom- she died out of love for God. The wreath on her head means “eternal”- God’s love is never-ending and eternal. The candles bring forth light, which is what her name represents. Lucia means “light.”
The young daughter, all dressed up, will then bring sweet rolls or donuts (something sweet) to her family. In our family, we normally do cinnamon buns and Spiced Citrus! The kids love it since we don’t get them very often! The image below are some shortcuts to make it a little easier if you don’t want to make everything from scratch:). This is what we use:)
Feel free to print the recipe (below) for the traditional spiced citrus tea drink and use it every year! You could do this in the morning for for your drive around looking at Christmas lights!
After we all have our breakfast with cinnamon buns, I will read to them the story Lucia: Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde. This book is great because it tells the story of the tradition- it’s a family celebrating the feast day and what it looks like for them in Sweden. It also tells the story of St Lucy’s life and her martyrdom. For instance, I always wondered why St. Lucy is celebrated in Sweden when she is actually from Italy! In the book, the author explains why! In the Middle Ages there was a great famine throughout Sweden. They all prayed to St. Lucy and in return, a miracle took place. In the middle of one night, a huge ship was coming into port and on that ship, there was a bright light. When the ship finally got to them, it was St. Lucy, illuminated by a bright light around her. On the ship was bread and it saved the Swedish people! This is why we traditionally have a sweet bread in the morning on St. Lucy’s Day! This cute wooded St Lucia set is adorable for little one to play in remembrance of Saint Lucy, pictured below!
Another great tradition on St. Lucy’s Day is to go visit a light show or drive around town looking at Christmas lights! We try to do this every year now- we get in our matching Pajamas (here are the ones we love) make a cup of Spiced cirtus tea or hot chocolates will do too:), Christmas cookies (here are the ones we make), pile in the car and go enjoy our neighborhood Christmas lights!
This is such a fun tradition to share with the kids! I love finding simple, joyful ways to teach them about the amazing saints who came before us. I hope you’re inspired to add a few of these ideas to your St. Lucy’s Day— even if it’s just telling her story and enjoying cinnamon rolls together. St. Lucy, pray for us!
Little kids might like these cute little Saint Lucia chewable doll. My family collects them and still play with them years later!
