Crest Hills' Covenant Church to present St. Lucia Pageant Dec. 12
On Sunday, Dec. 12, the Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia will be observed at Church of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Covenant, 2437 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill, at approximately noon, following the 10:45 a.m. service.
The Queen of Light will be portrayed by Abby Price, the daughter of Brad and Sabrina Price of Crest Hill.
Price, 16, is an honor student at Joliet West High School, where she plays badminton and participates in the symphonic band, marching band, and Future Health Professionals Club.
As a member of Church of the Good Shepherd, she regularly attends SOJO (the high school youth group) and serves as a volunteer in the nursery and with various youth activities. Other interests include baking, water skiing, snowboarding, and babysitting. Upon graduation from high school, Price plans to attend college and will probably pursue a career in nursing.
As part of the traditional Lucia Fest, the Queen of Light, also known as Lucia, will be accompanied by attendants portrayed by children from Church of the Good Shepherd Sunday School. Faith Zosky will sing "Santa Lucia" and Brianna Barraza, the 2019 Lucia Queen, will read the legend of Lucia.
The celebration of Lucia Fest is a Swedish custom that ushers in the Christmas holiday. According to legend, Lucia was a godly girl who became engaged to a nobleman at the age of 17. Before the wedding, Lucia gave her dowry to the poor as a thank you to God for answered prayer. Her intended husband, suspicious that she was a Christian, ordered her put to death on Dec. 13, 304 A.D.
Hundreds of years later, Lucia reportedly appeared in western Sweden during a famine to distribute food among starving people. She wore a long white gown and was encircled by light.
Following Lucia's visit, the days grew longer, leading people to believe she brought the end of winter and the return of light. Lucia became known as a symbol of light, faith, and Christian charity.
The traditional celebration of Lucia Fest recognizes the return of light after the dark of winter and heralds the approaching Christmas season with music and candlelight.