In Swe­den, the Christ­mas sea­son has a very spe­cial begin­ning. Mid-December, we cel­e­brate the feast of Sankta Lucia; a pro­ces­sion and cer­e­mony of light and music. A girl rep­re­sent­ing Santa Lucia wears a crown of can­dles and is dressed in white, accom­pa­nied by her maid­ens, each car­ry­ing one can­dle. They sing to the melody of the Neapoli­tan song Santa Lucia and the cer­e­mony con­cludes with the singing of Christ­mas Carols.Lucia was an Ital­ian saint and the per­for­mance has all sprung from a mix of ancient and more recent Nordic tra­di­tions and cul­tural influ­ences. Noone seems to have kept track of why we do it — but there is no doubt that we love it! And every city, school, com­pany and church with self-respect will run a Swedish-style beauty con­test to select the girl that will have the honor of being the Lucia.

And what could be more fit­ting than a spiced Christ­mas cof­fee to really get into the Lucia mood! 

- Mix a a pinch each of cin­na­mon, sugar, nut­meg and ground cloves with some vanilla syrup in the bot­tom of your mug.

- Add half a cup of freshly brewed coffee

- Top up with hot milk, gen­tly stir .…. then click this link for your very own Lucia expe­ri­ence, and enjoy the moment.

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