The Swedish celebrate the life of Santa Lucia, a martyred saint, with the Festival of Lights on December 13.

Lucia was a young woman who lived in first century Rome. After refusing to marry a non-Christian, she was tortured and killed by order of Emperor Diocletian. Santa Lucia, whose name comes from the Latin root word lux and means light, was known for her kindness and love.

Missionaries brought stories about Santa Lucia to Sweden, where she became known as Lucia Bride. It was said that she would get up early in the morning, wearing white and a crown of light, and take food and drink to the poor.

In Sweden, on the morning of the festival, mothers get the children up before the sun to make Lussekatter (x-shaped buns) that the family eats by candlelight.

Later on, for the Santa Lucia processions, girls put on white dresses with red sashes and crowns of greenery with seven candles. Boys wear white pointy hats with gold stars.

During the processions, the women sing traditional Lucia songs as they enter rooms and then sing Christmas carols or other songs about Lucia. The children in the processions do their part by taking Luciapepparkakor (spicy gingerbread biscuits), Julglogg (mulled wine), and coffee to homes, hospitals, factories, and offices.