Episode 96: Lives that Catch the Light (Advent Saints), Part 3--Lucia

These days, some folks get fussy in December because they see that not everyone celebrates Christmas, or they get upset when someone greets them with "Happy Holidays!" instead of "Merry Christmas," and want to call it the persecution of Christians.  But for the first three hundred years of our faith, it was not only dangerous, but also illegal to be a Christian, because following Jesus meant you weren't giving your allegiance to the Empire or to Caesar.  And during this time, a young Italian girl chose to lose her family fortune, prospects for a family, and even her life, becasue she wouldn't burn incense in devotion to the Emperor.  Her story of faithful defiant resistance and of amazing generosity for the poor became a compelling witness for generations of Christians, and ever since, people have been celebrating the life, martyrdom, and love of Saint Lucy (or Saint Lucia, which means "light"). Because her death is believed to have happened in December, her story is remembered in this season of Advent. And over enough centuries, her story has been remembered with scenes of girls wearing candle wreaths on their heads, and her faith in dark times has been remembered in the light of candle flames.  As pastors Sarah, Erica, and Steve explore the history and legend behind the story of Saint Lucy, we look for ways that her very real faith, her care for the poor, and her resistance to the empire in her day can give us an example of courage, love, and strength for our own lives.  Join our ongoing series on Advent saints!