Read Changing Traditions, A Christmas Novella for Free Online Page A

When they were younger,
Bethany’s first Momma would always read them this story to remind
them why they were celebrating St. Lucia’s day.
    Why…that was it! Perhaps
if Laura remembered why St. Lucia’s day was celebrated, she
wouldn’t be so against the idea. But Laura was seldom at home and
when she was, she made it clear she didn’t want to talk with
Bethany.
    The same was with Jeremy.
It had been three days since she had seen him last and Bethany
wondered if she had made a huge mistake. Of course, she should be
the one to go and see him, and deep down, she knew what she wanted
to say. Or did she?
    “ Bethy! Any luck?”
Carolyn’s voice carried up the loft and Bethany knew she shouldn’t
dally any long. Opening the box of letters from Mormor , Bethany found what she was
searching for right on the bottom of the pile.
    Clasping the letter which
still smelled like Mormor , she hurried back to the
kitchen. All eyes were on her with anticipation as she held up the
letter. Bethany held out the letter for Momma or Carolyn to read,
but Momma smiled. “You do us the honor, Bethany. You always had a
gift of story telling.”
    “ Very well,” Bethany sat
down at the table across from Rosie and Carolyn. “Here, Rosie, I’m
going to tell you about St. Lucia. Now this is in letter form, so
it will be as if Mormor is talking to you. You remember Mormor?” Though Mormor only passed away
a year ago, Rosie didn’t seem certain. But Bethany proceeded with
her letter.
    “ It was a dark morning on
December 13 when the story begins. St. Lucia, or Lucy as she was
called, lived in the Roman Empire when persecution of Christians
was quite popular. As a young girl, Lucy led a life devoted to God.
She loved her faith and she loved the poor – willing to do all that
she could to help them.
    “ Life was dangerous for
Lucy, especially now that she was a Christian. But Lucy was not
deterred. In fact, the danger spurred her on even more.
     
    The night was falling fast
and Lucy knew that she must act now or risk being caught. Without a
second thought, she slipped into the underground catacombs. It took
a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the tunnel.
Would she ever get used to such pitch darkness? Thank goodness for
the candles upon her wreath.
    A deep breath calmed her
nerves. Lucy gathered up her basket of buns and drink, she made her
way through the dark catacombs. A noise of shuffling feet startled
her, but as she believed the presence of God about her, she knew
she had nothing to fear.
    “ Hello? It is only me,
Lucy, come to you bearing food and drink.”
    The shuffling sound
appeared then to be the Christians whom she sought. As Lucy watched
them pray over the food she brought, thankfulness filled her heart.
How wonderful to serve God in this way.
     
    “ Unfortunately, her mother
didn’t understand Lucy’s Christian faith. When Lucy asked to give
all of her dowry to the poor, her mother declined. She wanted Lucy
to be protected and cared for. So in doing that, she arranged for
Lucy to be married to a wealthy heathen.
     
    “ Lucy, I will not have you
give your life away like that. I must live out the rest of my days
knowing that you will be all right.”
    “ Momma, I will. God will
see to my protection and provision. He always has. Nothing will
change that fact.”
    Momma’s eyes took on a
steely look as she leveled her view at Lucy. “A Christian will
suffer. If you are found out, who knows what the Romans will do to
you.”
    “ Is that why you want me
to marry one of them? So I’ll be forced to deny Christ? Well it
won’t work. I will never deny my Savior.”
     
    “ Lucy was in utter
distress and though she vowed to stay true to her Savior, her
mother was going through some serious health issues. No matter the
treatment, the cure was not found. Finally, Lucy took her mother to
St. Agatha where she prayed for her mother’s healing.
     
    “ Lucy. Lucy. God has heard
your intercession. Your mother