Santa Lucia - Ravenswood Style

Our church is almost 125 years old and has, for many of those years, celebrated the Swedish Christmas tradition of Santa Lucia. Now Peter is half Swedish, I am part Swedish somewhere in the mix, and we are immersed in the Swedish-Covenant culture of not only our church, but the historic ethnic roots that are part of the denomination I work for, am ordained by, etc. North Park U was my first real introduction to serious Swedish people - I had never seen so many Dala horses in my life! (Well, except for at Sheryl Peterson's house :) - but at school they were everywhere!) Anyway...

Eva was one of many girls and boys who dressed up this past Sunday for Santa Lucia Day at church - around the world this is a festival of lights and sweets that Swedes celebrate - yum!  She and her buddy Leah, who is only a few months younger then her, walked in the procession together following the older girls, and right before the star boys came in. They did pretty well too, with only a few tears and wandering steps during the songs and readings.

Then Eva and Leah stood up in front while the older kids did the program and alternately danced, watched the room with curiosity, and fought with their candles. It is very cute to watch how much Eva enjoys playing with her buddy Leah - Leah is one of our best bribes for encouraging Eva to go to church, go to nursery, go to softball, etc. etc. What a great little friend she has - and thankfully for us, Leah's got great parents too. :) Anyway - here are some of my favorite shots from the day:

 This shot of the dueling candles is my favorite, hands down! :)

 Being cute after the ceremony was done.

Buddies! We love you Leah :).