Lights play big part in Hanukkah, St. Lucia festivities

While holiday traditions differ around the world, many use light, or candles, as a common theme. This Sunday, two such traditions -- Hanukkah and St. Lucia Day -- will be celebrated by DuPage congregations.

Congregation Beth Shalom in Naperville will host a bazaar featuring a variety of unique gifts, including hand-sewn sweaters, handmade soaps and jewelry, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the temple, 772 W. Fifth Ave.

The event also features activities for children and refreshments served throughout the day, ending with a concert titled "Listen Up! A Cappell" at 3 p.m.

"It's kind of a whole day of festivities," said Rita Kramen, who helped organize the gift bazaar. "It's going to be loads of fun."

The bazaar is free and the community is welcome. Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults, $5 for children or $25 per family.

This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown Tuesday. Most Jewish families will stay home that evening to light the first of eight candles on a special candle holder called a menorah.

This tradition dates back to about 165 B.C., during a conflict between the Syrians and the Macabees. The Jews found that their temple had been desecrated, but there was enough untainted oil to light the temple's eternal flame for one day.

Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days, long enough for a fresh supply of oil to arrive and the Macabees to repair the temple.

Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration when families gather in the evenings to light a candle and say prayers. The holiday commemorates not only the miracle of the light, but the commitment of the Macabees to their faith.

Similarly, St. Lucia is remembered for her strong faith and dedication to helping the poor. Although the holiday is considered a Scandinavian tradition, St. Lucia was actually from southern Italy.

Just how the story of St. Lucia reached the Swedes all the way from Sicily is uncertain, although one theory is that sailors enjoyed the celebration so much while on their travels that they brought the tradition back to their homeland.

Both the Evangelical Covenant Church in Villa Park and the Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church will be observing St. Lucia Festival of Light at 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Evangelical Covenant Church has its roots in the Scandinavian culture, and while both congregations have fewer Swedes these days, the tradition continues.

During the St. Lucia observance, a girl portraying St. Lucia will walk down the sanctuary aisle with a crown of candles upon her head. The girl symbolizes St. Lucia, who was born into a wealthy family but encouraged her mother to give her possessions to the poor.

The story is that the man who was to marry Lucia was angered that she was giving away her dowry. He tried to kill her with boiling oil but Lucia was not harmed. However, she was blinded and killed when he stabbed her with a sword.

"She became a martyr. Her family was wealthy and she gave that up," said Sharon Thompson, administrative assistant for the Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church.

In Sweden, the St. Lucia festival is observed Dec. 13, which was the solstice and the shortest day of the year before the Gregorian calendar was adopted.

In Scandinavia, custom has the eldest daughter wearing the crown of candles and a white gown. Before daybreak on the 13th, she goes to her sleeping parents bringing them coffee and Lussekattor, or St. Lucia buns. If the girl has sisters, they also dress in white and carry a single candle in the family procession.

After the St. Lucia services in DuPage, both congregations will gather for Swedish refreshments. All are welcome to join both churches as they celebrate the St. Lucia Festival of Light.

The Evangelical Covenant Church is at 17W620 Riordan Road, Villa Park. For details, call the Rev. Ken Johnson at (630) 279-5429.

Glen Ellyn Evangelical Church is at 277 Hawthorne St., Glen Ellyn. For details, call (630) 469-5405.

Congregation Beth Shalom is at 772 W. Fifth Ave., Naperville. For details, visit www.napershalom.org.

If you go

What:Festivals of lights will be the focus of services at these three DuPage congregations:

• Congregation Beth Shalom will hold a Hanukkah celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the temple, 772 W. Fifth Ave., Naperville. The concert, "Listen Up! A Cappell" is at 3 p.m. Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults, $5 for children or $25 per family. Visit www.napershalom.org or call (630) 961-1818.

• St. Lucia Festival of Light at 5 p.m. Sunday at Evangelical Covenant Church, 17W620 Riordan Road, Villa Park, (630) 279-5429; Glen Ellyn Evangelical Church, 277 Hawthorne St., Glen Ellyn, (630) 469-5405.