White gowns, red sashes, and gentle smiles welcome the beginning of Chicago’s Christmas season, and the beginning of celebrating St. Lucia. For us at Tapestry this would be more than the participating in a Swedish custom, the crowning of the Lucia queen, it would be the start of a welcoming opportunity.
The music was sung in soft melodic Swedish tones, by the young women from Northside and Southside neighborhoods representing Swedish clubs, businesses and restaurants . While the families and business crowd expectantly waited for the Choir from Trinity, having been delayed by car problems and city traffic. A gentle restlessness turned to calm, as the Gospel Carolers rang out distinctively and rhythmically at the Daley Center.
“Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!” The message was clear, and the gospel simply declared. An opportunity was awaiting us as Christ’s people were being asked to live these words out this Christmas.
Maria Pappas, our Cook County Treasurer joyously welcomed us into a season of celebrating, while the City’s pride for ethnicities – Greek, Italian (since St. Lucia was just that) and the northern Scandinavian countries were well represented in this heartfelt expression.
While Irene, from the Central Committee of Chicago’s Swedish Community named the young women’s names and respective groups they represented, the young women stepped forward waiting for a moment to step into the light.
Emily Johnson, a recent graduate from Biola University and member of the Tapestry Community was pleasantly surprised when she was declared “Miss Santa Lucia 2009″. We are very proud of her accomplishment.
As The Fellowship of Churches in Chicago meet at 5:00 for pizza at Tapestry with an exciting “Spirit of Christmas” led in music by Billy Niemiec our worship and music leader, and John Metsig an outstanding vocal artist from Barrington, we will be celebrating also at St. Lucia’s night at Ebenezer Lutheran Church – a night of lights, candles, warmth and Christ’s message: “Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus is alive and at work in Chicago, and around the world.
Pastor Mark for Tapestry
