By Carl Larsson, my favorite Swedish painter.
From Penitents.org:
"In Sweden, the oldest (or youngest) daughter in each household traditionally carries a tray of coffee and traditional pastries called lussekatter (Lucy cats) to her parents before they arise in the morning. She wears a white gown, scarlet sash, and a crown of greens and four, seven, or nine lighted candles . Her brothers, wearing white shirts and tall, cone-shaped hats decorated with stars, and her sisters, all in white and carrying lighted candles, follow her. In many towns, a Saint Lucy is chosen to carry coffee and buns to each house. She and her followers, each bearing a lighted candle, sing carols as they traverse the dark streets while St. Steven, represented by a man on horseback, leads the way. The procession is done in memory of Saint Lucy's traversing darkened woods to bring bread and other food to the poor."
I told my daughter I would settle for her wearing the crown of candles and bringing me breakfast in bed. I think she's afraid of burning her hair, or maybe she's afraid of spoiling me.
Could they be artificial candles -- small battery operated ones?
By Carl Larsson, my favorite Swedish painter.