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Christmas in Poland
Boze Narodzenie w Polsce
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Wigilia (from the Latin term vigilare meaning "to
await") is the Polish name for Christmas Eve.
Much work must be done, including cooking,
baking, and all the housework. This way, the two
holidays that follow can be devoted to praying,
caroling, eating, relaxing, and eventually
visiting. This special day is associated with
several beliefs and customs.
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The dinner traditionally begins when the first
star appears in the sky. Children usually
decorate the Christmas tree on this day (if it
has not been set up before). A bundle of hay is
placed under the tablecloth to symbolize the fact
that Jesus was born in a manger.
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The Christmas Eve meal starts with a prayer, the
sharing of the blessed oplatek (consecrated bread
wafer which is similar to that used during Holy
Communion in the Roman Catholic Church), and
exchanging wishes.
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After the breaking of the wafer and the
exchanging of wishes, everyone sits down at the
dinner table. The table is covered with a white
tablecloth and there is one additional place set
for an unexpected guest who, especially that
night, should not be turned away. This is to
remind us that St. Joseph and Mary were also
looking for shelter.
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Christmas dishes
Although there are plenty of dishes on the table,
Wigilia is a traditionally meatless dinner. The
number of dishes is traditionally established to
be either twelve (in Kraków region) or an odd
number (in Silesia). Traditional dishes include
several soups (barszcz z uszkami, fish, dry
mushroom), fish (fried, jellied), sauerkraut with
beans, pierogi stuffed with mushrooms and
cabbage, noodles with poppy seeds and honey,
sweet strudel, and a compote made with dried
fruit.
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Time after dinner is devoted to different
activities. First of all presents are unpacked
then Christmas carols are sung. It is also
customary to feed the domestic animals with
oplatek and dinner leftovers, especially cows to
assure the production of plenty of milk.
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Then the time comes to attend the midnight Mass.
In Polish it is called Pasterka, "the Mass of the
Shepherds" to commemorate the shepherds who were
the first to greet the newborn baby Jesus. There
is something magical experienced on the way to
midnight Mass. Stars are shining and bells are
ringing. The snow crunches and whitens the way
After Mass, people return to their homes and
have a glass of hot compote or a piece of cake.
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It is still believed that whatever happens on the
Wigilia day has an impact on the following year.
So, if a quarrel should arise, it foretells a
quarrelsome and troublesome year. Be careful then
and try to make your Christmas Eve as special as
possible ?
Wesolych Swiat i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku