Bearing the Light: Saint Lucia Day

Today is Saint Lucia Day. In general, we don't celebrate saint days, but this one... this one feels... different. Maybe it's the Scandinavian heritage passed from my husband to my daughter. Maybe it is the darkest of the dark setting in as we approach the solstice. Maybe it is the beauty of taking what we have and carrying it forth in the light of Christ to share his love with others. Whatever it is, over the past few years this has become a day that we love.

As I revisited the stories about Saint Lucia, I was pondering her name, derived from lux, lucis, meaning "light". It is fitting for her day to be filled with light, not because she is the light, but because she bears the Light before others.



One whose name is also derived from lux means "light bearer" and yet in stark contrast does not bear the light, but seeks to destroy the light. Lucifer was intended to bear the light, but rejected the role he was supposed to play.



Lucia also rejected the role she was supposed to play, dedicating her life to Christ instead of to the dictates of contemporary culture. One is a rejection of Christ for culture in order to gain glory, the other is a rejection of culture for Christ, for His glory. I think there is more to ponder here.



Both Lucia and Lucifer share a common linguistic root, and with that playing through my head this Advent season, a time of dark and light, anticipating life and death, these are my thoughts (in draft)...

Luci(fer)

Whose name means light

but bears the light

Is not the light

But steps with light, quick feet

to bring light

and hope

and abundance

to those whose is waning

like the afternoon sun

like the lifeless walls 

of the tombs they indwell

dead inside

and outside

dark outside

and inside

but light

and life!

survive.

Whose name bears light

But means the light 

To not be light

And uses light and heavy hands

To twist light

Into darkness

And lack

To steal rest from the weary

With sleepless nights 

And busy days

That trade life for death

Empty inside

And outside

Sepulchral outside 

And inside 

To overcome life

And light

But can’t. 

The Light... comes

and with it, Hope

and Abundance

Grace and Peace

and Joy and Love

and death

and life.

And light

Shines. 

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 

On Saint Lucia and Lucifer and Christ, who is the Light of the world.