Collection: December

Traditional Catholic prayers, Bible passages, songs, and devotions for the month of the Immaculate Conception!

In Scandinavian culture, early in the morning on Saint Lucy’s Day, one of the daughters of a household goes from room to room dressed as the saint—in a white dress and red sash and wearing a crown of lit candles on her head. She wakes up her siblings and parents and offers them hot coffee and Saint Lucy buns. If this isn’t the year for a real flaming candle crown in your house, here’s a fun paper substitute. Boys get to be star boys (stjärngosse), for Saint Stefanos. Legend says that he was working in King Herod’s stables when he saw the star of Bethlehem rise at Jesus’ birth. He ran to Herod and told him that the new king was born. Herod, eating a chicken dinner, scoffed, saying: “That is as likely as if this fried rooster would come alive and call.” Whereupon the rooster flew up and called: “Christus natus est” (Christ is born)!

This traditional Mexican beverage is thick and tasty and filling. It’s great with toast or pastry for breakfast or an afternoon snack, alongside a spicy pozole at dinner, or for dessert.