St. Lucy’s Feast Day is Dec. 13, and it’s the perfect time to talk about this saint whose name means “light” and who can remind us that Christ is the light of the world. Saffron buns – or Lussekatter – are a favorite Swedish sweet roll made using saffron, which gives them a distinctive yellow color that recalls Christ’s light. Traditionally, young girls serve these to their parents with coffee on the morning of St. Lucy’s Day before taking part in a procession.
German traditions feature star-shaped cookies that are called Zimtsterne if they are cinnamon stars. The shape is meant to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem that led the Magi to baby Jesus, and it can lead your family on a discussion of your Advent journey. Although cinnamon is almost synonymous with the holidays today, it was once a rather expensive and exotic spice whose use was reserved for special occasions – like Christmas.