Christmas Day in Poland

What is Christmas?It is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by billions of people around the world. Christmas is a holiday celebrated most solemnly. This is a family holiday that people spend with your loved ones.

Christmas traditions in Poland

• the Christmas wafer • the Christmas carols• the Christmas tree• gifts• twelve dishes• Midnight Mass

The Christmas wafer

Family members and friends break off a small piece of the Christmas wafer and give it to one another along with a blessing. Breaking off and exchanging part of the Christmas wafer with someone is symbol of forgiveness between two people and is meant to remind participants of the importance of Christmas, God and family.

The Christmas carols

Christmas carols are very popular in Poland, where they have a long history, the oldest dating to the 15th century or earlier.Examples of carols:• „Dzisiaj w Betlejem” PLAY• „Cicha noc” PLAY• „Lulajże Jezuniu” PLAY• „Gdy śliczna Panna” PLAY• „Wśród nocnej ciszy” PLAY

The Christmas treeA Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as pine or fir, traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples or nuts. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, and later by Christmas lights. Today, there are a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as garland, baubles and candy canes. An angel or star may be placed at the top of the tree, to represent the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem.

Gifts

Gifts for Christmas gives Santa Claus under Christmas tree. According to tradition, gifts given to the Christmas Eve dinner.

Twelve dishes

This Christmas Eve meal is called Wigilia. After the first star appears in the sky, everyone shares the Christmas wafer and wishes good things for the coming year. Then supper begins. The meal is meatless, honoring Catholic tradition. Many households also prepare a great variety of special Christmas dishes, typically numbering 12 in honor of the 12 apostles. Most households leave an empty plate at the table for an unexpected guest. Straw or hay is usually on the table to symbolize the manger.

Midnight mass

Midnight Mass is a solemn Holy Mass celebrated at night (usually at midnight or in the evening) from 24 to 25 December. Midnight marks the expectation and prayer aimed shepherds to Bethlehem. In Poland, is one of the most important Christmas tradition.