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Community Corner

Providence Sophomore to Portray Queen of Light at Lucia Fest

The Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia will be observed at Church of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Covenant, 2437 Plainfield Road in Crest Hill, at noon Sunday, Dec. 12, immediately following the 10:45 a.m. worship service.

The Queen of Light will be portrayed by Providence Catholic High School sophomore Claire Zeeman, 16, the daughter of J.D. and Robyn Zeeman, of Shorewood.

As part of the traditional Lucia Fest, the Queen of Light, also known as Lucia, will invite the congregation to "A Taste of Sweden," a Swedish smorgasbord, sponsored by Women Ministries. The cost for the meal is $5 per person; children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge.

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Jane Hamor Rodriguez, the Lucia Queen of 1981, will read the traditional story of Lucia. Zeeman will be accompanied by attendants portrayed by girls and boys from Church of the Good Shepherd Sunday school and Martha Skoien singing "Santa Lucia."

The celebration of Lucia Fest is a Swedish custom that ushers in the
Christmas holiday. According to legend, Lucia was a godly girl who became engaged to a nobleman at the age of 17. Before the wedding, Lucia gave her dowry to the poor as a thank you to God for answered prayer. Her intended husband, suspicious that she was a Christian, ordered her put to death on Dec. 13, 304 A.D.

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Hundreds of years later, Lucia reportedly appeared in western Sweden during a famine to distribute food among starving people. She wore a long white gown and was encircled by light. Following Lucia's visit, the days grew longer, leading people to believe she brought the end of winter and the return of light.

Lucia became known as a symbol of light, faith and Christian charity. The traditional celebration of Lucia Fest recognizes the return of light after the dark of winter and heralds the approaching Christmas season with candlelight and music.

Zeeman is an active member of the high school youth group at Church of the Good Shepherd. She enjoys helping with vacation Bible school and the nursery, as well as participating in other youth group service projects. She was among church members who attended the recent Covenant Harbor Crew retreat in Lake Geneva, Wis.

Zeeman is an honor student at Providence, where she participates in varsity soccer, student council, the Augustinian Youth Ministry and Habitat for Humanity.

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