Swedish Christmas Season Characters

Santa (Sankta) Lucia was a Christian Martyr who lived in early times in Sicily. She was known for providing food and light to the helpless.  Her death was ordered by the Roman Emperor when she refused to marry a Non-believer.  Missionaries brought her story to Sweden hundreds of years ago.  She is celebrated in Sweden on the longest day of the year, which by the old calendar was December 13th.  The oldest daughter in the family serves her family freshly baked saffron buns (lussekatter), ginger cookies (pepparkakor) and steaming hot coffee.  Her brothers and sisters follow her as ‘star boys’ and Lucia maidens or attendants. For more on Luciadagen see "Lucia Day"
The words of the Lucia song is at"Lucia Song Words"

 

The Jul Tomte started out as an elf who lived under the floor of each house and protected its inhabitants.  Gradually the Tomte changed in some families from the a short bearded man clad in grey homespun to the more modern Santa Claus red suit who delivered Christmas gifts. For more on the Tomte see

Jul Tomte Archive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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