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Christmas in Sweden is
a special time of year.
The weather might be
cold and gloomy with not
much daylight, but the
Swedes remain in good
cheer by beginning
celebrations with the
start of Advent, four Sundays
before Christmas.
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In pre Christian times people
would beseech the dark powers to
leave earth and to make way for
the sun to be re-born. In the
Gregorian calendar the Lucia night
was the longest night of the year.
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One candle is lit every week
to mark the coming of the holiday.
The longed for Lucia procession on
December 13 is deeply rooted in the
Swedish heart of traditions.
Known as the Queen of Light,
Lucia wears a white dress with a
red sash and a crown of candles
on her head.
Lucia can be perceived as a symbol
of the good forces in life and a
symbol of light in the dark winter.
She usually appears early in the
morning, bringing coffee and saffron
-flavored buns (lussekatter)
traditionally eaten around Christmas
time in Sweden.
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