An early Lucia celebration

My earlier article "Who is Lucia?" already describes the celebration of "Lucia" in Sweden. Traditionally held annually on December 13th, Lucia came early for us this year.

Yesterday evening my son's class combined a Lucia parade with a Christmas party - a double celebration and definitely double the fun. To say the children were excited is a gross understatement.

As we entered the doors to the school foyer, miniature Lucia's, gingerbread men and the odd Santa raced at full speed around in circles waiting for the clock to strike six. And amidst all the noise, squeals and laughter, there was just one Star Boy - "stjärngosse" - in amongst the crowd. This year my son got to be the only Star Boy, assistant to Lucia. And rather than wanting to follow the crowd of the usual gingerbread men or Santas that he enjoyed last year, he reveled in his unique roll. A reminder once again to us how quickly he's growing up.

Dressed in a white smock and bearing a golden star, my young son kept a careful poise so the star-studded, tall pointed hat he wore sat carefully on his head. He boldly walked into the line up of 20 children to join in with the complete redition of Lucia songs.

Joyful, is a word that comes to mind.

With great concentration, these children performed a medley of songs of tunes that stay with a swedish child for the rest of their lives. The familiar songs are second nature as "Away in a manger" or "Jingle bells" are to a child whose mother-tongue is English.

After an encore to much applause, I am quite certain most mothers would admit to the odd tear of pride. Finally the children could let off some steam after the build up of weeks of practise, by indulging in Lussekatts (saffron baked buns) and Julmust (a sort of Christmas spiced cola) and candy by the bagful.

Believe me, they deserved it.

The stjärngosse outfit is carefully packed away for my next child, who perhaps also wants to feel as special and as unique as his sibling did this night.