Julefest at Bethlehem Lutheran Church isn’t just about the delicious Scandinavian baked goods. It is also a celebration intended to bring light to the darkest of winter days. In Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland ceremonies are held on December 13 with a local girl portraying Lucia and carrying in a tray of saffron buns. Last year Linnea Gesch was Julefest’s Saint Lucia. She was attended by Sela Backstrom, Claire LaVigne, Sophie Eliasen, Elsa Lunde and Amelia Roth.
The 40th annual Julefest will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 13, starting with a bake sale of traditional Scandinavian goodies. Julefest guests may arrive earlier to enjoy conversation and coffee as well as the bountiful assortment of treats in the fellowship hall upstairs, but the bake sale will not be open for purchase of Scandinavian goodies until precisely 1 p.m.
A wonderful program is planned and guests will be treated to a truly Swedish St. Lucia, accompanied by several attendants, singing in Swedish and English. Craig Peterson and Jim Ringquist will serve as the emcees and additional music will be offered by Philis and Kent Anderson.
Come to Bethlehem Lutheran on Saturday, December 13 to sample Romme grot, rice pudding, Krumkake, Sandbakkels, Norwegian wedding cake, cardamom toast and more; to enjoy some lovely music and to celebrate a little lightness in the dark of winter.
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