In Poland

On Christmas Eve, the whole

family gathers and waits

impatiently for the appearance

of the first star. With its first

gleam, they all approach a

table covered with hay and a

snow-white tablecloth. A

vacant chair and a place

setting are reserved for an

unexpected guest, always

provided for in hospitable

Polish homes.

The first star

Polish customs, especially at Christmas time, are both beautiful and meaningful.

Poles are famous for their hospitality,

especially during Christmas. In

Poland, an additional seat is kept for

somebody unknown at the supper

table. No one should be left alone at

Christmas, so strangers are welcomed

to the Christmas supper. This is to

remind us that Mary and Joseph were

also looking for shelter. In Poland,

several homeless people were

interviewed after Christmas. Some of

them were invited to strangers' houses

for Christmas; others that were not

asked inside the homes but were given

lots of food.

One of the most beautiful and

most revered Polish customs is

the breaking of the oplatek. The

use of the Christmas wafer

(oplatek) is not only by native

Poles in Poland but also by

people of Polish ancestry all

over the world.

The oplatek is a thin wafer made

of flour and water. For table use,

it is white. In Poland, colored

wafers are used to make

Christmas tree decorations.

Sometimes an oplatek is sent in

a greeting card to loved ones

away from home.

Christmas carols, as each element in the

traditions associated with Christmas have

their symbolism. These songs are meant to

symbolize and emphasize the joyful

character of this feast. There is no sad

Christmas songs, they are all happy and

thanks to emphasize the happiness of all

the Christians of the birth of the Saviour.

In contrast to other elements of the

Christmas traditions, carols are popular not

only in Poland. Very many countries have

their own songs. There is also a universal

Christmas carol "Silent Night," which has

been translated into nearly 300 languages.

Christmas carols

Pasterka is the first Mass of Christmas.

It commemorates the vigil praying in

Bethlehem shepherds who looked

forward to the birth of Jesus. In Poland,

is one of the most important Christmas

tradition.

Often, after supper, the whole family

are going to a nearby church for

midnight mass, in order to welcome

Christmas Day. After the first mention

of a shepherdess appeared in the fifth

century, the Roman documents of

ecclesiastical law.

The first crib of Bethlehem

arranged St. Francis. Bethlehem

models each year attract

thousands of visitors. Watching

them makes for a number of

great joy, family arrival of the

stable at Christmas, for many it

has become a tradition. The

most beautiful cribs is famous

Krakow.

Bethlehem models

On the Christmas table

should be 12 meatless

dishes. They symbolize the

12 apostles and 12 months in

the year, and the

consumption of each of them

bring a good fortune and

prosperity for the coming

year.

twelvedishes

Today, the most awaited moment of

Christmas Eve is a time of giving

Christmas gifts. This is one of the

youngest in the tradition of Christmas

Eve in Poland, widespread only in the

nineteenth century., Initially among the

gentry and wealthy middle-class

families, mostly of German origin. In

the country the custom of giving gifts

even in the first half of the twentieth

century. Was rare, and only children

from wealthy families received gifts in

the form of gingerbread, apples and

nuts. Depending on the tradition of

Santa Claus brings gifts (central

Poland), Star (West), white horse szemel

(Warmia and Masuria), an angel

(Greater), the Infant Jesus (Upper

Silesia).

Nobody imagines

Christmas without a

Christmas tree. This

coniferous tree is the most

prominent and ever-

present symbol of

Christmas.

Coniferous tree has long

been a symbol of life and

rebirth. In the Christian

tradition the living tree is

a symbol of Christ as the

source of life. Christ died

on the cross - the tree of

life. Christmas tree refers

to his saving passion,

because its green and

freshness means

everlasting life.

The father or oldest member of the family

reads part of the gospel St. Luke about the

birth of Jesus.

"... Joseph also went up from Galilee, from

the city of Nazareth, to Judeato the city of of

David called Bethlehem, because he was of

the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled

with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

When they were there, the time came for her

to be delivered. And she brought forth her

firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling

clothes, and laid him in a manger, because

there was no place for them in the inn. In that

region there were shepherds in the field,

keeping watch over their flock. Suddenly, an

angel stood before them, the Lord and glory

of the Lord shone around them ... "

Reading of the gospel

NATALIA GUCWA