24/12/2020
We celebrate Christmas tonight πYep, you read that right π Our son gets to open his presents tonight too! π
Christmas in Poland is called Gwiazdka, meaning "little star." π For Poles, Christmas Eve (Wigilia) (vee-GEEL-yah), literally means "vigil," or waiting for the birth of Baby Jesus.
The food at dinner represents the four corners of the earth: mushrooms from the forest, grain from the fields, fruit from the orchards, and fish from the sea.
Dinner might consist of Barszcz (beetroot soup), Uszka (mushroom ravioli), Pierogi (Pasta dumplings filled with either cheese and potato or cabbage and mushroom) and fish dishes. (No meat).
An additional setting at the table is set (because no one should be left alone at Christmas), so strangers and the homeless are welcomed to join in the holy supper. This derives from the times when Mary and Joseph were looking for shelter.
After sunset, the youngest child is sent to watch for the first star. π (Also known as the Star Supper). Only then can dinner begin, but not before "breaking of the oplatki", a very special tradition π₯°
The Oplatek is a thin wafer similar to the altar bread in the Catholic Church. It's stamped with the figures of the Godchild, Mary, and the holy angels. The wafer is known as the bread of love and is often sent by mail to the absent members of the family. Instead of sending Christmas cards to friends and family not present, Poles send oplatki, first tearing off a small corner to show that the donor has broken it with them as a token of affection β€
The eldest family member takes the wafer, breaks it and shares it with the next eldest with wishes for good health and prosperity, and a kiss on each cheek π Each person then exchanges oplatek with everyone else at the table.
An interesting detail is that we open our presents on Christmas Eve after supper. Depending on the region people believe that gifts are brought by Santa Claus or Baby Jesus.
βͺ Shortly before midnight, the family gets ready to go to Midnight Mass and then return home for a snack and more celebration.
Wesolych Swiat (Merry Christmas) from our family to yours π