Smörgåsbords and Saints

When I was growing up, Advent and the preparations for Christmas were always magical. Our church was small, established in 1920 as a mission to the Swedish immigrants living in Palo Alto, Calilfornia. It was built with loving hands by craftsmen, many of them members, in 1925.

As Advent began we looked forward to the mystery and beauty of the services as we prepared for the birth of Christ. We kids most looked forward to our traditional smörgåsbord potluck held in mid-December. Those Swedes could cook! 

Janet Starkey

1972-ish

My mother (of ½ German, ¼ Norwegian and ¼ Swedish heritage) embraced her Swedish roots and took it upon herself to create a Christmas pageant early in the 1970’s that was integral to that celebration. She researched the story of Santa Lucia and wrote a wonderful narrative that I believe First Lutheran may still be using.

​I found a version that is similar to her original narrative below that I would like to share with you.

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The Festival of Santa Lucia - December 13th

Lucia, a young Christian woman from a noble family, lived in Sicily (283-304 AD) during a time when practicing Christians were persecuted. When Lucia was a young woman her mother became very ill. Hoping to help her mother, Lucia went on a pilgrimage to visit the tomb of Saint Agatha. According to legend, Lucia experienced a visitation from the Saint who promised to cure her mother. On her return home, Lucia saw that her mother had in fact been cured. As a thank you to Saint Agatha, Lucia dedicated her life to Christ by living a modest life of prayer and helping the poor.

News of Lucia’s generosity and kindness spread rapidly and she became known as a person of integrity and honesty. Upon hearing this, her betrothed became furious that Lucia was giving away her dowry to the poor. In his rage he betrayed her to the local Roman officials, denouncing her as a Christian. She was tried, found guilty and sentenced to be burned at the stake. Upon lighting the fire, the flames moved away from her body, refusing to touch her, acknowledging her as a saintly person. She emerged unscathed from the fire! She spoke eloquently of her faith and predicted that persecution of Christians would not continue for long.

Sadly, the Romans were angered and humiliated by Lucia’s ability to survive their bonfire and ordered her to be put to death. She died on December 13, 304 AD.

Ironically, within ten years the Edict of Milan gave Christians the right to worship freely throughout the Roman Empire.

According to Swedish legend: after Lucia's death, a ship carrying a maiden "clothed in white and crowned with light" appeared on the shore in the Swedish province of Varmland during a great famine. The maiden, widely believed to be Lucia, distributed food and clothing to the needy, thus endearing herself to the Swedish people.

Different stories and traditions surround St. Lucia, but all focus on the themes of service and light. St. Lucia is celebrated throughout the world, and honored by many cultures. In Sweden, Lucia symbolizes the coming end of the long winter nights and the return of light to the world.
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Light is used to symbolize God, faith and holiness throughout the Bible. As Christians, we are called not only to walk in the light but to be the light for others.
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Let YOUR light so shine before others so that they will see your good works and give glory to God. Matthew 5:16
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He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ John 8:12

​In His Name, Janet