This week, as students complete their last days of instruction for the fall semester, a couple of special holiday events will happen (virtually, of course, this year)–our much-loved Winds of Christmas concert with festive holiday music, on Tuesday evening, and our annual Festival of St. Lucia on Thursday morning. Both events remind us that these long-standing Gustavus traditions can carry on in new ways, even in the midst of a pandemic.
Celebrated every year in mid-December, particularly in Scandinavian countries, St. Lucia Day commemorates a Swedish legend in which a ship carrying a maiden “clothed in white and crowned with light” appeared on the shore in Värmland during a great famine. The maiden–St. Lucia–wore a white robe with a red sash and a wreath of candles in her hair. She distributed food and clothing to the needy, thus endearing herself to the Swedish people. As a college founded by Swedish immigrants, the Gustavus community celebrates St. Lucia most years with a smorgasbord buffet. And yes, that typically includes lutefisk and lefse!
Traditionally, the St. Lucia Court sings carols through our campus residence halls starting at 5 a.m., we come together for a service in Christ Chapel to recognize the sophomore woman who is crowned St. Lucia, and we celebrate all those who are a light in our lives. The theme of light comes through in a variety of ways during the short, dark days of December. Homes and trees are lit up with Christmas lights, and candles are placed in windows. Christians around the world observe the season of Advent by lighting candles on a wreath that symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace, thus marking a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
As we all know, this year has presented greater challenges than we ever expected, and yet it has also shown us so many examples of light and hope in our world. Our doctors and nurses, those who care for the elderly and teach the young, those who cry out for justice, and the hardworking people who produce our food and medicine and make sure it arrives safely at our doors. To me, they are all beacons of hope and constant reminders of all the caring and generous people who selflessly serve on the front lines during these challenging times.
Here at Gustavus, our vision is to equip our students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of our time. We are proud of all the members of our community, including our 28,000 alumni from across the world, who are shining bright in the communities in which they live. During this holiday season, I encourage each of you to act, however you can, to live with purpose, and to be a light in the world.
On Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. CST, wherever you are, don’t forget to tune in to the Winds of Christmas for a healthy dose of great music and holiday cheer.
Until next week, keep up the good work, Gusties!
Yours in community,
President Bergman