Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, every where we go. And so, we're working through our Holiday Season Wanderlust Wishlist. What better place to start than a town named Bethlehem? Bethlehem, PA, nicknamed Christmastown during the Great Depression, is a quick jaunt from Philli, and the top of my Wandering List this year. Lamp posts adorned with wreaths, traditional Moravian stars hanging even in alley ways, and a light dusting on the rooftops are postcard perfects. In the 1700's, Count Zinzendorf led a bunch of Moravians and set up a mission. Read about them,. Its fascinating.
13 December är julens början. För svenskar i USA kombinerar många av oss traditionell jul och amerikansk kul. Jag har haft mitt träd sedan mitten av November, men har fyllt mitt hem med sevärdheter och dofter av säsongen från det gamla landet. Vi är de som kör tre timmar bara för en bit mandelkaka. 'Tis the season to make buns.... Fa la la la la la la la la Buttery Saffron, Cardamom, and Cloves waft from the kitchen warm our chilly morning. Dancers and bazaars and candles... Fa la la la la la la la la The House of Sweden The Order honouring St. Lucy with dance and shows. Wax Covered Hair and Child-like anticipation... Fa La La La La La La La La
The Procession, Songs, and Readings share memories with a piece of my soul. And Now for our Know-It-All Segment: "Just so you know...." Sweden, all of Scandinavia, really, is overwhelmingly Lutheran and St. Lucia is one of the only Saints celebrated. The celebrations through the North Countries meld traditional religion (pre-Christian/Viking) and Christianity, with many symbols now revolving around the Trinity. The Lucia we revere nowadays is of Sicily, but there are legends of a candle wearing, Viking do-gooder, Lussi. As the story goes, Lucy converted to Christianity once an angel visited her at a shrine, where Lucy was seeking help for her widowed mother and the medical conditions plaguing her family. As any story regarding Rome in the middle ages, Lucy was martyred for refusing to compromise her virginity. As for the candles on the head, dripping hot wax onto the hair, only to be painstakingly picked out that night? Rumor has it Lucy was hiding Christians in the catacombs to keep them safe from the Roman soldiers. She fashioned the candle crown simply to light the way and keep her hands free, bringing everyone goodness and light. One of my favourite things about the holiday season is the nativity exhibits sharing the light of the world. Hundreds of crèches proudly displayed as the tranquil tunes seeped out of the theatre, reminded me of the total ubiquity of the season. The interpretations of the manger scene and a baby Jesus differ greatly from culture to culture but the love and effort to create each unique artifact is the same. So, whether Jesus is your truth and spiritual path (He's mine), we hope the peace and love of the season find you under your brightest star.
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