St. Lucia Day

St. Lucia Day was adopted from the Scandinavian holiday that has been celebrated in Sweden since the late 1700s, in which a young woman was selected to travel from farm to farm delivering baked goods before dawn. It commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, who according to legend, brought food and aid to those in need. She was said to wear a candlelit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible.

The children (generally second graders) prepare sweet saffron rolls or other baked goods. Then, dressed in white robes, they deliver these treats to the other classrooms while singing.