12 Days of Christmas (2017) – Day 9
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.
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 Kristen’s 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.
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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Peace…this chic needs It! Thank you for sharing! I am interested in learning about a new tradition Blessings! .
After my parents passed away, I would get really depressed around Christmas so I decided to start some new traditions with my kids. Thanks for sharing yours.
Absolutely adorabe! Love the bracelet, and thanks for the give-away opportunity!
What a lovely reminder that we never know what our little sponges soak up. We cannot force it but leading them, drawing near, We plant seeds, water them and one day, there are blooms.
What a wonderful tradition.
I was really moved by your words– no matter what we do, it is God who gives light to warm our hearts in dark seasons— this is so true in life. Thank you for the beautiful reminder.
As a “new” teacher, resting in His peace is always on my to do list. As a “new” teacher, my to do list is NEVER done, but I really should move this one to the top.
That’s a neat tradition!
What a lovely tradition! I look back with such fondness at the traditions my mom started with me (and which I did with my step-children too in her memory). It’s amazing how much kids “count on” those traditions just like I did…I think it helps inject a sense of continuity and anticipation in a world that can change so quickly otherwise.
Traditions are so important! Lets keep them going ……..Merry Christmas everyone.
Love this ?? And the simplicity of finding selah in everyday moments.
Thanks for sharing your family tradition with us! That smile could light up any room!! She’s adorable!
What a wonderful tradition. Thank you for sharing. Excited for you on the book release and looking forward to checking out your blog.
What a delightful tradition. I have heard about St. Lucia day and the eldest daughter, but not about Lucia herself. Thanks for the additional info.
Beautiful remembrance and tradition. Congratulations on your first book!
This year I am learning so much about rest and reflection. I am purposefully taking time for both.
Oh my goodness, what a sweet story, Kristen. Of all your St. Lucia days past and all your St. Lucia days to come I imagine last year’s still stay in your heart forever. How very sweet. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful tradition, and look forward to reading your book!
What a wonderful memory!
It’s about joy not perfection! Thanks for sharing the story!
I love how traditions become a part of the fabric of a family. Thank you for sharing your’s!
Kristin, that is such a heart warming story. And to think about how much joy. the memory will bring you and your family as time passes. I believe tradition is a gift from God. Children long for traditional values and ways of doing things they can pass on to their families. Traditions give peace and comfort – building memories upon memories in our hearts. Thanks for sharing your heart.
What a sweet story!! I can feel your daughter’s joy in her smile in the picture. She really enjoyed being St Lucia!! I need rest, I need Selah!
You never know which child will treasure a Christmas tradition the most!
I don’t have any girls yet but I love this tradition! Beautiful memories made!!