Advent at St. Paul’s
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
You may ask yourself: “Why is the girl in the picture wearing a wreath and candles on her head?” No, in spite of the costume you have not been transported into a C.S. Lewis or J.R.R Tolkeinesque fantasy world, you’re in St. Paul’s Chapel the morning of December 13th celebrating the Feast of Saint Lucia. St. Lucia Day is a Swedish holiday that celebrates the life of the Italian martyr, Lucia (Italian for “light”), who was tortured and killed for her faith when she refused to marry an unbeliever so that she could dedicate her life to serving others for Christ. To honor this day our sister LCMS congregations in Iowa City partnered with us in celebration by making the Swedish food for breakfast and joining us at the Chapel as American and International Students alike gathered during this Advent season –where we look for the coming of the Light of the World – to celebrate the life of a woman who serves as a reminder to let our light shine wherever God places us.
