On a cold and dark morning a girl went out to milk the family cow. She looked at the straw on the ground and she saw little snowflakes. It was a frosty, cold morning in December. The little girl greeted her cow and began to fill her pail with milk. She would take a break and blow on her hands to warm them up. When the pail was full, she heard her mother calling her, "Lucia! Breakfast is ready!" The father and mother had named her Lucia, meaning "Light," because when she was born, they looked out at the night sky and were amazed at how bright it was outside. The moon was full, but the parents thought that Lucia entering the world had brought the light to the sky.
Lucia thanked the cow for her milk and slowly walked towards the house with the full pail. She tried not to spill any milk on her dress. Her dresses often smelled of old milk. The night sky had disappeared & only the last star was left in the sky. The sun would be up soon to melt all the snowflakes she had seen.
While Lucia was eating breakfast with her parents, her father was telling her that her uncle had disappeared. Her father's brother was Lucia's favorite and only uncle. Her father told her that he had a guess where he might be & he was going to look for him that evening. Lucia begged to go with him, but her father said it would be too dangerous for her and she was to stay at home with her mother. Her father told her that many people were not too happy with Christians lately. He told her how some people did not think that Christians should not be able to live well.
Lucia could not stop thinking about the conversation she had had with her father while she was doing her morning chores. That night, after dinner, her father left the house. Lucia decided to follow him, because she wanted to know what had happened to her uncle. She followed her father for what seemed like eternity. He was obviously looking for something, but it appeared as if he could not find it. Finally her father went behind a large rock. Lucia ran up and slipped behind the rock as well. In front of her was a dirt path that led into a cave. She was scared, but she had come this far and she was determined to see her uncle. It was hard to see in the darkness, but slowly her eyes adjusted. She looked around the dark room. The floor was full of men and women. Some were sleeping, others were talking, still others were singing. Suddenly there, before her, were her father and uncle. She embraced them. Her father was surprised to see his daughter, but he did not scold her. The people in the cave were hungry. They asked for food. She remembered her own dinner. She didn't have any food to give them, but reassured them that she would bring them something to eat. Her uncle told her & her father that he would not leave his friends. He would remain in the cave until everyone was safe. He told Lucia and her father that they should join them in the cave along with mother because they were Christians as well.
That night, when Lucia and her father walked home, Lucia was telling him all her ideas for bringing back food for the people in the cave and her father wondered how much longer they would be safe inside their own home.
The next day Lucia and her mother cooked and baked all day long. At night they had plenty of food to bring to the people hiding underground. Lucia had armfuls of baked sweet bread to carry. It was a dark walk. Her mother put a ring of candles on her head, so they would light the way to the cave. When the people inside the cave saw Lucia walk in with food in her hands and candles on her head, they thought she was an angel. They were so grateful to the visitor who brought them light in the darkness and food to nourish their bodies.
In the far northern country of Sweden still today people remember this most loving deed. When it is dark and cold outside, on the morning of December 13th, families are awakened by "Lucia" who brings bread and a hot, spiced drink while singing this beautiful song:
Santa Lucia
Thy light is glowing
Through darkest winter night,
Comfort bestowing.
Dreams float on wings bedight
Then comes the morning light.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Through silent winter gloom
Thy song comes winging.
To waken earth anew
Glad carols bringing.
Come thou, oh Queen of Light
Wearing the crown so bright.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Santa Lucia
Christmas foretelling,
Fill hearts with hope and cheer,
Dark fears dispelling.
Bring to the world again,
Peace and good will to men.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
