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12 Days of Christmas (2017) – Day 9

 

10th Annual #12DaysofChristmas Giveaways (2017) at karenehman.com.

GRAND PRIZE!!!

One of you WHO COMMENTS ON ALL TWELVE POSTS AND ALSO SHARES ABOUT THE SERIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA will win a grand prize from me, pictured here.

10th Annual #12DaysofChristmas Giveaways (2017) at karenehman.com.

REMEMBER…in order to win the grand prize, you must leave a comment on all 12 posts. You can start with Day One HERE.

OK, let’s get started with our ninth day’s guest, Kristen Kill!

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Last year St. Lucia was late to breakfast. She nearly missed it entirely.

In our family, one of our favorite traditions is celebrating St. Lucia Day. Originally a Scandinavian holiday, St. Lucia is a light bearer, bringing warmth and hope in the early morning. The oldest daughter of the family typically bears the honor of wearing a crown of light and evergreens, a white dress with a red sash and waking her family with delicious saffron buns, reminiscent of when Lucia herself delivered food to Christians persecuted and hiding in the catacombs- and of what it means to hold out hope in the darkest days of winter as we wait for the birth of the Christ Child during Advent.

We’ve never been a stickler for only letting our oldest embrace being St. Lucia, but as I asked my girls the past few years, busy schedules and the pang of waking early, coupled with the year I almost lit their hair on fire, seemed to dissuade them from the celebration.

I casually mentioned the approach of December 13th, made some muffins the night before, and planned to leave the morning void of any fanfare. But when the day arrived, it was not my oldest daughters, but my littlest who snuck into my room asking when things would be ready for her to surprise everyone. She was shocked that I hadn’t woken her earlier. This tradition had found its way into her heart and she was expectant to bear light and love to her family.

We searched in her closet for her white summer sundress, clipped some greens from our tree and tied them together with twine for her crown, and the candles for our little light bearer? Well, we placed an LED tea light on top of the plateful of muffins.

At the last minute, I realized we were missing anything red and I pulled an ornament off the tree and looped it on to her crown. It was the most haphazard St. Lucia breakfast we have ever experienced, but maybe the most delicious, because it was the year we remembered that no matter what we do, it is God who gives light to warm our hearts in dark seasons, who shines beauty that we can feel and taste, and savor like saffron buns.

Taking time to rest and receive from God re-orients our hearts to Him in a world full of darkness. Take time to discover the practice of peace God desires for you in Kristens new book, Finding Selah. We are giving away a copy of her book today, along with a beautiful cuff designed to remind you to take time to pause and remember light in the midst of your busy life.

Day Nine Giveaway

For the 12 Days of Christmas series, I am giving away the bracelet pictured below and my new book coming out January 9th, Finding Selah: The Simple Practice of Peace When You Need It Most.

10th Annual #12DaysofChristmas Giveaways (2017) at karenehman.com.


Kristen Kill is a woman transformed by the delight of God. She loves coffee, gingerbread, and staying up late with her nose in a good mystery. She believes there is something sacred in lighting candles, in setting a beautiful table and inviting others in. Most days she can be found attempting to learn how to cook, redecorating any given room instead of cleaning her house, and homeschooling her five hilarious children. 

A contributing Editor at The Better Mom, and co-host of At Home With Sally and Friends, a popular podcast with Sally Clarkson, Kristen is passionate about encouraging women who feel stretched thin. She believes that tension is where we can learn to live expectant for the music and melody God is singing over of each one of us. She writes about home, creativity, and flourishing at her blog Hope With Feathers (kristenkill.com)
After spending the last seven years in the hustle of New York City, she and her husband, Josh, are learning to go slow as they raise their family and walk their anxious hound dog in the Pacific Northwest. Her first book, Finding Selah, releases from Zondervan in January. You can find her documenting life on Instagram and Facebook 

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324 Comments

  1. I am Swedish and look forward to introducing this tradition to my daughter. At 14 months she’s a little too young, but maybe next year!!

  2. I love that cuff ! It would be a great reminder to me of the fact that Jesus gives me peace even in unwanted, unpleasant circumstances.

  3. Kristen – Thanks for sharing your St. Lucia tradition and the wonderful photo of your daughter – it’s precious.

  4. This spoke to me. I really need hope & to remember there’s light to warm my heart. I’m craving peace & rest & truly want to receive from God, but I’m having trouble figuring out how right now. I also love that the bio says you are “passionate about encouraging women who feel stretched thin.” That’s me! :)

  5. Such a sweet tradition. We keep building new traditions as a family. Spending Christmas with out of state with our families makes traditions a little tricky.

  6. Wow. I never knew of St. Lucia’s day … nor the traditions. With most of ours grown, my traditions have slipped away. Good reminder to seize the moment during this precious season.

  7. Our advent series at church is titled Selah. We are reminded to pause and reflect on Jesus this Christmas season.

  8. We all need reminding that the smallest speck of light can bring hope us hope. God shows us the light in our darkest hrs.
    May God bless you and your family this Christmas season.

  9. My grandparents did this with us girls when we were young….I didn’t carry on the tradition because I had boys, but we finally got a girl and she is now the perfect age…may have to look at this for next year!

  10. This is a great tradition with a child with so much joy and brightness shining from her as ahe carries out the tradition.

  11. This is a wonderful story about your tradition and light and brightness shining from your child that wanted to make sure it continues even though schedules are more hectic. That no matter what there is always time for the tradition to continue.

  12. How exciting. This year I am working on learning how others celebrate Christmas not only here but around the world. So exciting to hear. Looking forward to your book coming out.

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