Joliet West honor student portrayed Santa Lucia in church festival

The Church of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Covenant in Crest Hill ushered in the Christmas holiday on Sunday by celebrating the Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia during its Sunday worship service.

Abby Price, 16, portrayed Santa Lucia, also known as the Queen of Light. Abby is the daughter of Brad and Sabrina Price of Crest Hill and an honor student at Joliet West High School, according to a news release from the church.

Children who attend the church’s Sunday school accompanied Abby as her attendants. Faith Zosky sang “Santa Lucia” and Brianna Barraza, the church’s Lucia queen in 2019, read the legend of Lucia. the release said.

The legend says Lucia gave her dowry to the poor in response to God answering a prayer. Her intended husband suspected she was a Christian and ordered her put to death on Dec. 13, 304 A.D, the release said.

Legend also says Lucia, wearing a long white gown and surrounded by light, appeared in western Sweden hundreds of years later during a famine to distribute food. The days grew longer after her visit and she became associated with end of winter and the return of light. She is honored as “a symbol of light, faith, and Christian charity, the release said.

Abby plays badminton at Joliet West and and participates in the school’s symphonic band, marching band, and Future Health Professionals Club, the release said.

She attends SOJO (the church’s high school youth group) and volunteers in the nursery and in youth activities. Abby enjoys baking, babysitting, snowboarding and water skiing. Abby plans to attend college and pursue a career in nursing, the release said.

For more information, visit goodshepherdcov.org.