Who will be crowned St. Lucia this year? Last year Cecelia Chmelik (wearing the crown) and Amy Carpenter, standing next to her, were both picked for the honor. Carpenter wore the crown the next day at the church service. St. Lucia court attendants were L-R: Ella Hallberg, Katie Shannon and Piper Sporn. File photo
The 44th annual Julefest will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 15.
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 well as the arrival of St. Nicholas. There will also be 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 15 to enjoy a delicious and festive start to the Christmas season.
Leave a Reply