Välkommen and God Jul

So this past weekend Linda (M.I.L) asked me to go with her to the Swedish festival at the Shrine auditorium. Always up for a craft fair and holiday carols I agreed to attend. It was really neat seeing all the wonderful handmade Christmas crafts and eat some Swedish meatballs. My mouth was watering at the thought of them, and the hour wait in line only made us want them more, add in some roasted potatoes and lingonberry sauce and we were scarfing! I also got to try some Glogg, which is a Swedish alcoholic beverage. It has port wine, Bourbon Whiskey, rum, cinnamon, cloves, oranges, raisin's and almonds. Served warm it was a really nice thing to have if your out in the cold all day. A little strong for my liking but all together really fruity.

While in the midst of the crafts and wonderful food I got a glimpse into the Lucia Pageant. Backstory on St. Lucia, "The story of Lucia tells of a terrible famine in Sweden and people were close to death from starvation when a large white ship appeared across the lake. At the helm was a maiden, dressed in gleaming white, her head encircled by a crown of radiant beams. As the vessel touched shore, great quantities of food and clothing appeared with her for the starving. When asked her name, she simply replied, "Lucia". When all were fed and cared for, the vessel disappeared as quickly as it had come. The legend of Santa Lucia dates back to the year 304 A. D. in Sicily. Lucia was born to a noble Christian family during the days of persecution of Christians. While still very young she promised to dedicate her life to serving to the poor. When betrothed she refused the man and gave all her dowry to the poor. He reported her as Christian and she was to be burned at the stake. Her body did not burn and she became radiant with light as she died. The story of this Christian martyr in Sicily is celebrated in the land of dark long nights of the North in Scandinavia. In Scandinavia, and especially Sweden, the annual celebration on December 13 is especially beautiful. A young woman in each family is selected to represent Santa Lucia. Dressed in a white robe with a crimson sash about her waist she wears a crown of lighted candles adorned with leaves. She awakens the members of the household early singing the hymn, "Santa Lucia" and serves steaming coffee, freshly baked bread and saffron buns at each bedside. The lighting of the candles on the crown of Santa Lucia is a special welcome of light during the darkest time of the year, dispelling darkness and gloom and sending good will, peace and hope to the world."  Young children came out into the crowd and onto the stage dressed in white with red sashes and singing wonderful music carrying lighted candles. Even though I couldn't understand the lyrics they were singing, it gave me such a wonderful feeling of Christmas inside, thinking about our own choirs and how we celebrate with song here in the U.S. as well.

After the pageant we wandered around some more, looking at the baked goods and of course the CHOCOLATE! We couldn't resist and split a bar! So yummy. Linda bought some really cute decorations and I almost bought a gorgeous wreath....but held strong to my willpower. The Swedish horse, also known as Dalecarlian, was seen in many craft items and God Jul (Merry Christmas) was on everyone's lips. Smiles were had all around and I had a lot of fun learning a little more about a new culture. Time to plan a trip! :-)