For me, Christmas always really began with Lucia Day. From way back, I remember waking in darkness and dressing, then sneaking down to the dim warmth of the kitchen, where I would tie the smooth red ribbons of the Lucia crown under my chin. The crown was heavy, and the evergreens made it scratchy — but what a wonder it was when the candles were lit, and the light moved with me.
Wonderful as Christmas itself was, for me it was Lucia Day that was truly magic. The flaming crown, in all honesty, would have been enough to guarantee that. Yet there were other, subtler enchantments as well: the smell of cardamom, oranges, and chocolate; the glow of red candleholders against green boughs; our wistful recording of the “Santa Lucia” melody and the exuberant folk songs that followed it.
This year, for the first time, my daughter had her own crown of candles — electric ones, for safety’s sake, but still so beautiful. We lit our Swedish candles in the morning darkness; we listened to the same crackly Swedish recording that I used to listen to as a child; we feasted on Lussekatter, julekage, hot chocolate, and oranges.
And it was magic all over again.
Lussekatter (Lucia buns made with saffron and pools of butter) and Swedish candlesticks
Our Lucia Queen in front of the fire
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Anonymous said:
How lovely! I’ve never heard of Lucia day so it’s interesting to read about it. So nice that your daughter is carrying on the tradition.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So nice of you to stop by! I’m glad my daughter is as enchanted by the tradition as I am… long may that continue!
jbknowles said:
Oh, how beautiful!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Jo!
jeniwrites said:
So pretty!! I had never heard of this tradition, and the idea of a crown of lights, and chocolate and foods/spices that sound as if they’ve come from another world, is just magical. It would make for a neat children’s story for ‘Highlights,’ I think. Thank you for sharing! I love the photo of your daughter, especially. Both of our girls (yours and my oldest) have long hair; that’s neat.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks so much, Jeni! It’s funny how these childhood traditions can become such a deep part of us. I’ve been thinking today about how candles and flames feature in Chantress magic… and wondering if maybe Lucia Day is where that bit of the book came from.
I think I have a children’s short story about Lucia Day somewhere in my files. I’m not sure I ever sent it anywhere, but you make me think I should.
tracyworld said:
This is all new to me, Amy. What a lovely tradition. Your little one is so fortunate to be able to share in this with you, and I’m grateful you gave us a peek into Lucia Day, too. Thank you!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lucia Day is one of my very favorite things ever. It’s a treat to share it with you, Tracy.
triciasullivan said:
Oh, what beautiful photos!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So happy to share them with you!
annemariepace said:
I remember a book about this from my childhood-but I can’t recall the title.
Thanks for sharing your lovely tradition!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
You’re very welcome! As for books, Elin’s America by Marguerite de Angeli has Lucia Day in it, and there’s a page and illustration for it in Tasha Tudor’s Take Joy. Maybe it was one of those?
stephanieburgis said:
Oh, it felt magical to read this entry and see the beautiful pictures. What a wonderful tradition! And it feels so amazing to be able to share rituals like that with our kids. I’m enjoying the Christmas season this year SO MUCH more because of MrD’s joy in it.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So glad you enjoyed the photos! It’s lovely to pass these things along, isn’t it? And I can hear the joy in your own posts, too. (And with an inventive lyricist like that at your side, no wonder you’re having fun!)
fabulousfrock said:
How lovely that you keep up that tradition. My mom always celebrated St. Nicholas Day and filled our shoes with candy on Dec. 6th and eventually that day grew to be a family holiday that meant as much, or maybe more, as Christmas itself, because it felt like OURS. I think it’s so nice to keep up those special old world traditions.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
a family holiday that meant as much, or maybe more, as Christmas itself, because it felt like OURS
That’s exactly it! Beautifully put.
And how lovely that you celebrated St. Nicholas Day. I was talking to a writer the other day whose family did that, too. She said sharing out the sweet loot with friends made her VERY popular at school.
p_sunshine said:
Oh how cool! Thanks for sharing! π
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
You’re welcome! π
Anonymous said:
Your St Lucia Queen looks truly magical, Amy
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So kind of you to stop by, Jan! Sending best wishes for Christmas magic to you.
boreal_owl said:
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So glad you enjoyed it!
jamarattigan said:
I’d heard of this tradition, and now am even more jealous that I wasn’t able to participate in it! Thanks so much for sharing the magic and beauty!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Oh, Jama, it’s a treat to share it with you. Wish you could be here for that wonderful moment when the lussekatter and julekage come out of the oven all golden and buttery and smelling of saffron and cardamom.
jeannineatkins said:
Of course she’s delighted! How wonderful that you could share the light — and feasting. Thanks for the lovely post and pictures. And happy Lucia Day!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So happy to share this with you, Jeannine! I’m wishing you much light and happiness during this solstice season.
cynthialord said:
How beautiful! Thank you for sharing this, Amy.
And how big sweetpea has grown!
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Yes, she’s so tall that it even amazes me! Just yesterday, she was showing me how she started out small (picture her curled up in a ball), then grew and grew and GREW till she was BIG (picture her with arms outstretched, beaming).
lorrainemt said:
Mmm and ahhh, I can just smell the Lussekatter and feel the warm glow of candles, fire, and love in your house. And what a tall and regal Lucia Queen you have! I love getting a peek into your beautiful tradition. π
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lovely to share that tradition with you, Lorraine! Wishing you all the blessings of the season. xo
njnelson said:
Oh, how lovely! I hadn’t heard of Lucia Day either (and what a shame because I have Scandinavian ancestors). What joy this tradition will now bring to your daughter π
Thank you for sharing.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
So happy to share… and what a sweet picture that is of your young reader! I hope you and your family have wonderful holidays.
tracyworld said:
Happy birthday to you, Amy! I hope your special day is glorious and that the coming year brings you much love, laughter, and happiness!