Polskie tradycje świąt Bożego Narodzenia

1. Polskie tradycje świąt Bożego Narodzenia Polish Christmas Traditions

2. Wigilia - Christmas Eve • Wigilia table and Pasterka • Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day • Szopka, Koledy and Pastoralki

3. Click to disable sound Wigilia - Christmas Eve • Wigilia comes from the Latin word vigiliare, which means to watch. In Poland, the wordWigilia used to be known as the day before a feast, and now it means the day before Jesus's birth. • Supper started when the first star appeared on the sky. Menu for this occasion was traditional, unchanging, and very carefully planned. It contained only food from forest, fields, lakes, and orchards. Meat was not allowed on Wigilia. All people waited a moment of breaking and sharing Oplatek – a thin wafer. The sacred white wafers, much like those used for Holy Communion, are shared with each person present. During the exchange, good wishes are expressed. This is the most emotional time of the holiday for the Polish family. Those who are no longer alive are particularly remembered at this moment. • Supper started with a choice of a mushroom soup, red beet soup (barszcz) with little dumplings (uszka), or almond soup. Next came sauerkraut with mushrooms, pierogi with different kinds of filling, potatoes, and noodles with poppy seed. Then several kinds of fish prepared differently – marinated, fried, or broiled - were brought to the table. After supper candles were lit on a tree and gifts exchanged. • At midnight, people went to Pasterka - Midnight Mass. Everybody attended except very sick. After the sermon, the entire congregation sung carols and pastorals (Koledy i Pastoralki) which are the heart of Polish Christmas. These ancient and most beautiful songs are sung in families and in church throughout the holiday season. MeNu

4. Click to disable sound Pasterka Wigilia table The Wigilia table is set with a white tablecloth under which is placed hay (polskie Sianko). The hay and cloth represent the manger and the veil of Mary which would swaddle the infant Jesus. The family's best china and crystal grace the table as this is a sacred night. In the center of the table is placed the Oplatek or wafer, often in a bed of hay, sometimes also with a representation of the Baby Jesus. The candles are lit after the youngest child has spotted the first evening star. Tradition also dictates that an empty place be set for an unexpected guest; in memory of ancestors (for their spirit to occupy); or perhaps for Jesus himself. This is in keeping with the core Polish adage, "Gosc w dom, Bóg w dom." ["Guest in the home is God in the home."] Poles call the Midnight Mass the Shepherd's Mass or Pasterka. Traditionally, the family's Wigilia celebration culminates when all go together to Mass. The Midnight Mass is usually preceded by communal singing of the beloved Polish Koledy. The Mass itself is a joyous and majestic liturgical event, because Bóg Się Rodzi--God is Born, as the great Polish Carol says. It is also traditional for families to visit the Crèche to pray together to the Infant Jesus. Following Mass, many families return home for a snack and more celebration. MeNu

5. Click to disable sound Christmas Day • This day was spent quietly within the intimate family; visiting with friends and relatives would begin the following day, St. Stephen's day. • Christmas day was traditionally free of unnecessary work. The menu concentrated on meat, which is probably why the most popular dish on this day was bigos or hunter's stew. This dish can and should be prepared ahead of time. St. Stephen's Day • This day spent on visiting relatives and friends is the second day of Christmas, which is also celebrated as a holiday in Poland. On this day domestic help was hired or rehired for the coming year and the hostess prepared an excellent meal for her domestic staff. When one of the staff left the table and did not eat, he indicated he was leaving for employment somewhere else. For the rest of the staff a new contract was sealed for the following year. MeNu

6. Click to disable sound Szopka • The Szopka is the Krakowian Creche. These elaborate creations of tin paper are entered into competition each year on the square of Mariacki (St. Mary's Cathedral) in Krakow. The largest collection of past exhibits can be found in the Ethnographic Museum of Krakow in the Kazimierz district. Koledy i Pastoralki • Poland boasts a long and exquisite tradition of carols and pastorals (Koledy i Pastoralki) which are the heart of Polish Christmas. These ancient and most beautiful songs are sung in families and in church throughout the holiday season. MeNu