Szopka krakowska, Bronisław Pięcik, Traditional christmas dinner, 1998. 04567 Christmas nativity scene at the Franciscan church in Sanok, 2010.
Christmas in Poland is a major annual celebration, as in most countries of the Christian world. The Day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December is the unofficial beginning of the festive season in Poland. Well-behaved children receive small gifts on the day, whereas naughty children receive a lump of coal or a twig, called “rózga”. Other aspects of Polish Christmas include nativity plays called “Jasełka” or “Herody”, outdoor nativity scenes, the singing of carols, most notably “God Is Born”, and Kulig, a horse-pulled sleigh ride. Christmas tree in a Polish home.
Traditionally, the Christmas trees are decorated with glass baubles, garlands and many homemade ornaments including painted eggshells, shiny red apples, walnuts, wrapped chocolate shapes, candles, etc. They are lit on Christmas Eve before Wigilia. In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish, usually carp.
The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts can sometimes last for over two hours. On that evening, children watch the sky anxiously hoping to be the first to cry out, “The star has come! Only after it appears, the family members sit down to a dinner table. According to tradition, bits of hay are spread beneath the tablecloth as a reminder that Christ was born in a manger.
Others partake in the practice of placing money under the tablecloth for each guest, in order to wish for prosperity in the coming year. Some practice the superstition that an even number of people must be seated around the table. The supper begins with the breaking of the opłatek wafer. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. They then share a piece with each family member.
The remainder of the evening is given to stories and songs around the Christmas tree. In some areas of the country, children are taught that “The Little Star” brings gifts. As presents are unwrapped, carollers may walk from house to house receiving treats along the way. Christmas Eve ends with “Pasterka”, the Midnight Mass at the local church. The tradition commemorates the arrival of the shepherds to Bethlehem and their paying of respect and bearing witness to the newborn Messiah. The custom of Christmas night liturgy was introduced in the Christian churches after the second half of the 5th century.
In Poland that custom arrived together with the coming of Christianity. Christmas carols are not celebrated in Poland until during-and-after the Christmas Vigil Mass called “Pasterka” held between 24 and 25 of December. The Christmas season often runs until February 2. Traditional Polish glass baubles with lace details. Poland produces some of the finest hand blown glass Christmas ornaments in Europe. Families and collectors value these ornaments for high quality, traditional artwork, and unique decorations.
Polish blown-glass Christmas ornaments are generally manufactured only in the winter season. The modern glass workshops and manufacturers tend to be localized in the southern regions of Poland. Traditional Christmas Eve in Poland- Wigilia w Polsce- tradycje”. Lorraine Grochowsa Kiefer, Christmas Kolędy – Polish Carols Archived 2011-03-17 at the Wayback Machine, at culture.
LUXORNA, Polskie ręcznie wytwarzane i zdobione bombki choinkowe, katalog. All the traditional Irish recipes you’ll need for Christmas dinner From turkey to gravy to stuffing, Irish chef Kevin Dundon will make sure you’re well prepared for December 25. Admit it, each Christmas you try a new gravy recipe, don’t you? With varying degrees of success too, right?