Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin

It was the morning of December 14, temperatures outside were extremely cold, we looked forward to the Lucia celebration inside the beautiful Fox Point Lutheran Church. Then it happened, there was a gas leak at the church, the event had to be cancelled or rescheduled. Through quick actions from the Church, Lucia Program Director Stina Lemery, and SAHSWI volunteers, everyone involved or invited were notified, and new plans had to be established for a new date.

On Sunday December 28 Lucia could be celebrated without a hitch. Most of the participants in the Lucia program were able to join, and overall, about 80 people attended the event.

After a final rehearsal, the program could begin with the procession led by 2025 Lucia Madeleine Franke, followed by attendants, Leighton Ehrengren, Kenzie Klagmann, Ida Knox*, Ella and Emilia Lemery, Mila Leon, Thea Quealy, Villa Sjöberg, Layla Gallo, Starboys Camden Ehrengren, Joseph Kaltenberg*, Olof Knox*, Gingerbread men Arlo Ehrengren, Eli Kaltenberg*, Nora, Isla and Wilam Thode-Edström, and Little Santas Astrid and Oskar Erkander*, and Nova and Orion Balistreri. (* missing due to re-schedule)

The Lucia program was directed by Stina Lemery, the Lucia Story and Song was introduced by Swedish School Teacher Amanda Balistreri, and the Piano was played by Matt Byczynski. The Lucia program included 9 well known Swedish Christmas songs, starting with Sankta Lucia and ending with Stilla Natt sung both in Swedish and English (Silent Night). The Lucia Crown includes 5 candles, and for each of the candles a poem was read by the program participants both in Swedish and in English and the candle was lit.

• THE FIRST CHRISTMAS CANDLE – Leighton Ehrengren
  • När första ljuset brinner, står julens dörr på glänt, och jubel psalmen klingar i helig tid advent. 
  • When the first Christmas candle is burning, we know Christmas is close by.  
• THE SECOND CHRISTMAS CANDLE– Mila Leon 
  • När andra ljuset brinner, vi höra löftets ord, om Konungen som kommer med frälsning till vår jord. 
  • When the 2nd Christmas candle is burning, we hear the promise of old that a Savior is coming. 
• THE THIRD CHRISTMAS CANDLE – Olof Knox
  • När tredje ljuset tändas i kulen vinter tid. Vi höra himlens klockor, som ringa fröjd och frid. 
  • When the 3rd candle is lit, we hear the bells of heaven wishing all peace and goodwill 
• THE FOURTH CHRISTMAS CANDLE – Joseph Kaltenberg  
  • Vi se i fjärde ljuset en stjärna underbar, som ger åt livets gåtor ett evighetens svar. 
  • As the 4^th candle is lit, we see a beautiful star with promise to all of life eternal. 
• THE FIFTH CHRISTMAS CANDLE –   Ida Knox 
  • Sist julens lilla tomte med gran och juleljus, nu önskar juleglädje och frid i hem och hus.
  •  At last the little Christmas elf with Christmas tree and lights, is wishing all a joyful and blessed Christmas. 

After the Lucia program Fika was served in the Fellowship Hall including coffee and Juices and cookies and pastries, a Cinnamon Kringle from O&H Bakery, 7 different cookies from Åsljunga, Sweden, Brownies shaped like a Gingerbread man baked by Kerri Ehrengren, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The final activity of the day was the traditional Dance Around the Christmas tree based on traditional Swedish song and dance.

We like to thank everybody involved and coming to the Lucia celebration ensuring this wonderful Swedish tradition is maintained. Our sincere thanks to Stina, Amanda and Matt and all the children for a beautiful perfect Lucia program, to Pastor Bill and Operations Director Kelly Price for having us at the church and for all the help and support, Kerri for all the preparations of the Fika, Wendy Pelsis and Joann Kreimendahl for serving the welcome table, Bev Wenzel for preparing printed programs and sign-up sheets and everybody that was helping with the setup, takedown and cleanup of the Fika.