Saint Lucia's Day Brunch Styled Shoot

The start of the Christmas season in Sweden is December 13th: Saint Lucia’s Day.

On this morning, a family’s eldest daughter dons herself as Saint Lucia in white gown, red sash, and lighted candle crown, and awakens her family with traditional song, warm drink, Lussekatter (saffron buns), and ginger biscuits.

The holiday festivities, occurring during one of Scandinavia’s darkest days of the year, symbolize the true hope and light that Christ brings to a dark world at Christmas.

Legend has it that Saint Lucia (or Saint Lucy), who lived in Sicily around 300 AD, bravely brought sustenance to persecuted Christians hiding in catacombs during the terror of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Hands full, she fashioned a crown of candles on her head to light her way through the dark underground. 

Last year my sisters, mother, and I took joy in fashioning a festive little St. Lucia's Day brunch photo inspiration for the Lala. I thought it only fitting to share the photos in this space today: St. Lucia's Day!

Bat Light Garland DIY

My decorating for Halloween is standardly pretty tame. I'm very sensitive to "scary" (never have, never will watch a horror film) and tend to stick with pumpkins and gourds this time of year. A few months back I found the above lithograph print and my heart skipped a little. 

Witches, ghosts, blood? 

Uh-uh. 

But bats? 

Cute.  

Inspired by Cakies' black cats, I cut out paper bats, punched stars for eyes, and pulled twinkle lights through.  Here is a Bat Template pdf I created if you'd like to have your own house full of bats!

Let Light Shine Out of Darkness

We've set up this garland of lights for Valentine's Day this year. 

The lights glowing in their doilied hearts bring to mind how, as 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, ..."God made his light to shine in our hearts to give us the light...of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Lately I've been meditating on, and taking comfort in, the truth that God is light. 

 This world seems consumed by darkness with sorrow unbearable. 

Despair beckons.

But then, I look to Christ and "the morning star rises in my heart" (2 Peter 1:19) and I am filled with a joy and hope that cannot be taken away.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12