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Christmas in Poland
Boże Narodzenie w Polsce
Wigilia (from the Latin term vigilare
meaning "to await") is the Polish name
for Christmas Eve. Much work must be
done, including cooking, baking, and all
the housework. This way, the two
holidays that follow can be devoted to
praying, caroling, eating, relaxing, and
eventually visiting. This special day is
associated with several beliefs and
customs.
The dinner traditionally begins
when the first star appears in the
sky. Children usually decorate the
Christmas tree on this day (if it has
not been set up before). A bundle
of hay is placed under the
tablecloth to symbolize the fact
that Jesus was born in a manger.
The Christmas Eve meal starts with a prayer, the
sharing of the blessed opłatek (consecrated
bread wafer which is similar to that used during
Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church),
and exchanging wishes.
After the breaking of the wafer and the
exchanging of wishes, everyone sits down at the
dinner table. The table is covered with a white
tablecloth and there is one additional place set for
an unexpected guest who, especially that night,
should not be turned away. This is to remind us
that St. Joseph and Mary were also looking for
shelter.
Christmas dishes
Although there are plenty of dishes on the table, Wigilia is
a traditionally meatless dinner. The number of dishes is
traditionally established to be either twelve (in Kraków
region) or an odd number (in Silesia). Traditional dishes
include: several soups (barszcz z uszkami, fish, dry
mushroom), fish (fried, jellied), sauerkraut with beans,
pierogi stuffed with mushrooms and cabbage, noodles with
poppy seeds and honey, sweet strudel, and a compote made
with dried fruit.
Time after dinner is devoted to different activities. First
of all presents are unpacked then Christmas carols are
sung. It is also customary to feed the domestic animals
with oplatek and dinner leftovers, especially cows to assure
the production of plenty of milk.
Then the time comes to attend the midnight Mass. In Polish
it is called Pasterka, "the Mass of the Shepherds" to
commemorate the shepherds who were the first to greet the
newborn baby Jesus.
There is something magical experienced on the way to
midnight Mass. Stars are shining and bells are ringing. The
snow crunches and whitens the way…
After Mass, people return to their homes and have a glass of
hot compote or a piece of cake.
It is still believed that whatever
happens on the Wigilia day has an
impact on the following year. So, if a
quarrel should arise, it foretells a
quarrelsome and troublesome year. Be
careful then and try to make your
Christmas Eve as special as possible 
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