Light in Darkness - Luciamorgon

December 13th is the feast of St Lucia, Lucy in English, a medieval Sicilian saint whose feast is now most celebrated in Sweden. Through her name ('light') and the date of her feast, she is naturally associated with the Advent season's symbolism of seeking light in darkness. St Lucy's day is a much-loved holiday in Swedish homes, churches, schools and institutions. This year's annual televised national Luciamorgon ('St Lucy's Day morning') celebration, with lots of music from children's and youth choirs, comes from Tällberg in Dalarna, the heart of Swedish folk culture. There's a short trailer here. and the program will be online on SVt Play here from Monday morning - should be watchable worldwide.

Bake some saffron buns, serve with cardamom coffee (just put a *small* pinch of ground cardamom in with your coffee grounds before adding water), and enjoy some Swedish 'mys' (equivalent of the trendier Danish 'hygge'). A beautiful Advent tradition of seeking light in darkness from a nation of world experts on the subject!

Can't wait until Monday? Last's year's Luciamorgon was a particularly special one from Jukkasjärvi in the far north, online to view here.

What are your family's old and new Advent traditions?

- Glad Lucia och glad tredje Advent önskar eder alla
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Images: Luciakronan by Christina Zetterberg and Saffron buns by Maria Eriksson on Pixabay