St. Lucia's Day

"For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world;

and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith."

1 John 5:4

Saint Lucia

(1625-1630)

Francisco de Zubaran

(1598-1664)

Spanish painter

December 13th commemorates the feast day of Saint Lucia,

a courageous young Christian woman living in the time of the mighty

Roman Empire.  Lucia, or Lucy, was known for bringing food

and water to followers of Christ hiding in the catacombs,

during the time of the Great Persecution, which took place under a

succession of vindictive empirical rulers.

The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer

(1863-1883)

Jean Leon Gerome

(1824-1904)

French painter

The Walters Art Museum

Baltimore, Maryland

According to legend, Lucia was the daughter of a wealthy 

 nobleman from Syracuse in Sicily.  She became a believer

in Jesus at an early age and committed herself to Him, refusing to marry

even after she was forcefully betrothed to a pagan. This suitor loved 

Lucy's beautiful eyes and was determine to marry her, but, according

to one story, she plucked them out and gave them to him,

declaring, "Now let me live to God."

Another legend tells that Lucia was the daughter of a Greek noble

family and was brought up to be a Christian by her mother. At an early

age, Lucy committed her virginity to the Lord, vowing not to marry.

In addition to aiding Christians hiding from the Roman edicts 

 she gave her personal wealth to the poor and needy.

Her strong commitment to serving Christ angered the young

pagan nobleman she had been forcibly betrothed to and he

denounced her to the Sicilian governor Paschasius.  A

scheme was hatched that the pious young woman should

lose her virginity by being taken to a brothel.

However, as Lucy prayed about her situation, the Holy Spirit

came upon her to comfort and to protect her from the wicked

plans of her spurned suitor.  Lucy became immobile, as solid

and heavy as a piece of stone and her tormentors could not

lift her off the ground much less do anything else they had

planned to do to her.  They later tried to burn her to death,

but God protected her from the flames.  

According to yet another story, Lucia was stabbed in the

neck with a knife and later died from her injuries.

In the place of her death, a church was later built to

honor the memory of this brave Christian girl.

Burial of Saint Lucy

(1608)

Caravaggio

(1571-1610)

Italian painter

The burden of my fear and sin

On Christ by faith I roll;

And now I have His peace within

And victory in my soul.

(Refrain)

There's victory in my soul,

Victory in my soul;

I grasp the promises by faith,

There's victory in my soul.

I know there is a test for me,

A battle to be won;

But God ensures the victory

Before it is begun.

(Refrain)

On the battlefields of long ago,

When saints have drawn the sword

Their strength did not o'ercome the foe,

But trusting in the Lord.

(Refrain)

While leaning on His arm alone

I cannot know defeat;

The glory shall be all His own

When victory is complete.

(Refrain)

E'en death itself I do not fear

Since Christ hath borne its sting;

His presence through the valley drear

Will help us then to sing.

(Refrain)

"Victory In My Soul"

(1907)

James Martin Gray

(1851-1935)

American theologian

Editor of the Scofield Reference Bible

Dean and President of the Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois