Table of Contents 1. An even number of people 2. Carolers 3. Christmas candle 4. Christmas tree 5. Christmas wafer 6. Dinner 7. Nativity play 8. Santa Claus 9. The Christmas nativity scene 10.
The empty place
An even number of people Although Christmas Eve supper has deep religious meaning, it is not free from superstitions. The one that there should be an even number of people around the table at the Christmas Eve supper is one of the strongest ones, still very often respected in Poland. An odd number of people means that one of them will have bad luck.
Carolers Carolers is a group of boys and girls, who during the Christmas time walk from door to door saying the wishes of good luck for The New year. They disguised themselves as Shepherds, Three Kings, King Herod, Angel, Devil, Death and give performances about Jesus birth in carolers group. Another group of carolers used to walk with the colorful, shining star and sang carols. The carol is a special song about Christmas. Carolers receive sweets and money in exchange for good wishes and songs.
Christmas candle This evangelical tradition was born in the Netherlands. On Christmas Eve at the entrance to each house erected burning lantern or a simple candle. They were an invitation to be a sign of Our Lady and St. Joseph that Jesus was born in their home. Today the custom of lighting a candle on the table Christmas Eve is practiced in many Polish families.
Christmas tree Each family decorates Christmas tree in the day of the Christmas Eve. Christmas tree is a real fir or spruce, it also can be artificial. People hang on Christmas tree apples, nuts, colorful glass balls, candies, little angels, stars, bells, which all symbolize
wealth and joy. Long, colorful chains decorate Christmas tree as well. There is the Bethlehem star on the top of Christmas tree and colorful lights light it up . There are the presents under Christmas tree which are unwrapped after the Christmas-eve supper. Christmas tree stands in our houses till 2nd of February.
Christmas wafer Christmas wafer is a Central European Christian Christmas tradition celebrated in Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian families during Christmas Eve Vigil. The wafers are baked from pure
wheat flour and water. They are usually rectangular in shape and very thin. The wafers are embossed with Christmas related religious images, varying from the nativity scene, especially Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, to the Star of Bethlehem. Family members and friends break off a small piece of the wafer and give it to one another along with a blessing. Breaking off and exchanging part of wafer with someone is symbol of forgiveness between two people and is meant to remind participants of the importance of Christmas, God, and family.
Dinner
On the 24th of December there is a Christmas Eve, a great supper, on which the whole family meets. The Christmas eve supper consists of twelve dishes. There is always a free place for an unexpected guest near the table. Under the table-cloth there is a bundle of hay to thank God for the food. We begin the Eve traditionally, with the appearance of the first star in the sky which is the symbol of The Bethlehem star. Then we read the gospel according to Apostle Luke about Jesus birth. After that each member of the family shares the wafer and offers wishes to each other. After the supper we unwrap the presents which lie under Christmas tree and sing carols. Christmas Eve is finished by going to Church for a Midnight Mass.
Nativity play The performance of Polish Nativity Play has evolved on the crossroads on which two ways met: the way of us - people devoted to contemporary puppetry and acting, and the way of Polish traditions of puppetry – rod puppets. This performance brought another point of view on what we do – the breath of tradition and awareness of our roots.
Santa Claus In Poland Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus comes to children on the 6th of December, because the good bishop Nicholas died then. Children in Poland write letters to Saint Nicholas with the request for presents and leave them on the window's sill. Saint Nicholas has a long, white beard and moustache. He is dressed up in the red overcoat, and carries the huge sack with presents on his back. He holds a long walking cane at his hand. Nicholas distributes presents in the presence of the family or leaves them at night under the pillows. Good children receive sweets and toys whereas naughty ones get twigs.
The Christmas nativity scene The Christmas nativity scene represents the interior of the Bethlehem stable in the day of Jesus birth. You can see a crib there, in which lies the new-born Jesus. Next to the new born king sit Mary and Joseph surrounded by their shepherds and three kings who bring gifts to Jesus. Sometimes people decorate the nativity scenes with polish national symbols(flag and eagle).
The empty place A well-known and widespread custom in Poland is to leave an empty place at the table on Christmas Eve. It is certainly a recent custom as it is not mentioned in any books about Polish traditions. The main reason for leaving an empty place is for any unexpected guests who might turn up:
“Anyone who comes into a Polish house on the evening of Christmas Eve will sit at this place and will be treated as a member of the family�. The tradition of leaving an empty place at the table also reminds Polish people of those close relatives who cannot spend the festive time with them. It can also be a reminder of members of the family who have passed away.