Photography

COLIN DILTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Children are dressed as angels in white gowns and make last minute adjustments to their costumes before the Sancta Lucia pageant at the Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines. The church has held the for four years. The tradition was started by a church member of Scandinavian descent.

COLIN DILTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Lydia Salo, portraying Sancta Lucia, gives Carl Johnson and Sybel Johnson Lucia buns, a small sweet bun topped with a currant, as part of the pageant. The buns are passed out to symbolize Sancta Lucia's care for persecuted Christians.