Bethlehem Lutheran Church hosts Julefest each year. The Scandinavian event features a visit from Lucia, who wears a crown of candles and brings a tray of saffron buns to share. The event is held near the shortest day of the year to honor St. Lucia and celebrate the return of the light. Pictured at last year’s Julefest ceremony are, from left, Paige Everson as Lucia, and attendants Taylor Everson and Cecelia Chmelik.
The 42 annual Julefest will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 10. Julefest is Bethlehem Lutheran’s variation of the celebrations held across Scandinavia to remember St. Lucia, a young woman in ancient times who brought food to the poor. Early on the morning of December 13, the shortest day of the year according to the Julian calendar, the oldest daughter of the house dons a crown of fresh greens and glowing candles and serves her family coffee and saffron buns, bringing sustenance and light to the household on one of the darkest days of the year.
Bethlehem’s Julefest festivities will begin at 1 p.m. with the opening of the bake sale of homemade traditional Scandinavian Christmas breads, pastries, and cookies from some of the best cooks in the county. Upstairs in the social hall, Julefest guests will be able to enjoy coffee and conversation as they sample the rommegrot, rice pudding, krumkake, sandbakkels, kransekake and other delicacies amid the colorful Scandinavian holiday decorations. At 2 p.m. there will be a short program presenting the 2016 St. Lucia and her court as well as special music, carol singing, and the drawing for raffle items donated by local businesses and individuals.
Proceeds from the coffee table, bake sale and raffle will be distributed to various charities and mission projects throughout our area.
All are invited to come to Bethlehem on Saturday, December 10 to enjoy a delicious and festive start to the Christmas season.
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