The Mystery of Christmas Eve in Poland
‘Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, All is bright…”
The night of 24th to 25th December was celebrated long before Christ in all civilisations of the solar cult. The mystery of the night consists of elements of ancient agricultural rituals, All Souls Day celebrations, and Christian religion practices.
Christmas Eve night, in Polish Wigilia, opens a new period in nature, coming as it does around the winter solstice, and announces the birth of the ‘sun’ in the Christian religion – the son of justice, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
In Poland Wigilia is celebrated especially solemnly. The mystery of the night appears in all aspects: time, place, food and people’s behaviour.
The signal to start the Wigilia supper is not dictated by the clock, but rather by the appearance of the first star in the sky, which reminds us of the comet that appeared over Bethlehem to announce the birth of Christ and guide the shepherds and the three kings to the stable.
The celebration takes place at home, where all the members of the family meet for the Wigilia supper. The ceremony starts with the opłatek, a thin white wafer, the symbol of the holy bread. Each member of the family – and guests, of course – takes a wafer, and they offer it to each other one by one, each breaking off a small piece and exchanging special best wishes for the coming year. The breaking of the symbolic bread is meant to bring peace to the whole house and provide the family with enough bread for the coming year to share with others. The wafer is even given to pets and animals at the farms, as they were present at Christ’s birth. There is an old belief that animals are able to speak at midnight.
After the opłatek, the solemn supper begins. This supper is unique. Firstly, it is meatless (a tradition connected with the ancient celebration of All Souls Day). Next, the menu is very specific. It must consist of something from the garden (vegetable salads and a special dessert from poppy seeds); from the field (potatoes, grain i.e. bread); from the orchard (fruit, nuts); from the forest (mushrooms, honey, cranberries); and something from the water (fish, especially carp and herring). There are thirteen traditional dishes on the table, as there were twelve apostles and Christ.
The table is covered with a white tablecloth under which is put some hay to remind us that Christ was born in the stable in poverty. There must always be one spare place at the table for an unexpected guest, a custom connected with the old belief that the souls of the dead members of the family might visit home that evening.
The traditional menu varies according to the region and family customs, but usually for starters there is herring prepared in several ways, a vegetable salad and cold fish. Then soup is served – mushroom soup or red barszcz (borscht) with traditional uszka (small, baked pierogi with mushroom stuffing). For the second course there is usually fried or baked fish prepared in several ways: with a wine sauce, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and so on, and served with potatoes and a dish of cabbage with mushrooms, or in some regions simply many kinds of pierogi.
There are two traditional Christmas cakes: makowiec, a strudel with poppy seeds, and piernik, a cake made from honey with spices, cinnamon and ginger. There is also a dessert made out of ground poppy seeds with fresh cream, eggs, honey, raisins and almonds served with cookies. There should be also a cranberry kisiel (a kind of jelly) and compote made from sun-dried fruits such as plums, pears (and sometimes with figs).
Although the Christmas Eve supper is meatless it must be very rich. The abundance of food on the table should bring the family prosperity for the coming year. The dishes made from poppy seeds, especially, symbolise plenty, bringing abundance and wealth.
After the dessert there is time for singing carols and receiving Christmas presents. If there are children at the family they await the arrival of Święta Mikołaj (St Nicolas or Father Christmas) bearing presents. If there are no children the presents are put under the Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree decorations are powerfully symbolic. The lights bring God’s blessing on the house. The bright and colourful glass balls are to protect the house against evil, and bring joy and happiness. The colourful chains are for strengthening family relations. The pierniki cookie decorations provide abundance, while apples bring health and beauty to the girls and women of the family. If you eat a nut from the Christmas tree, it has the magical power of bringing love to you.
The ceremonial Wigilia supper, the Christmas tree lights and the carol singing together create the very special joyful climate of the holy night. The ceremony lasts till midnight when the whole family goes to church to Christmas Mass.
The next two days of Christmas are also very special but don’t have this unique and magic charm of the Polish Christmas Eve.
What is your Christmas ?
Christmas in Poland
Ask Ewa
Free course
Polish program for selfstudy-beginners
Polish program for selfstudy-intemediate
I’m extremely inspired together with your writing talents and also with the format for your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the excellent high quality writing, it’s uncommon to see a nice
weblog like this one today..
Thank you for your comment.
During a year thee was no new posts on my blog, because I was busy writing a book.
Now a restore the blog again and invite you to follow it.
With kind regards,
Ewa
Right on. Anytime I go on %source_url&%, I find a website that is insightful and challenging.
. It’s generally helpful to examine posts from fellow authors and use items from other pages.
Thank you for your comment and I am sorry not to answer for such a long time. Sorry, for over a year I was exluded from a normal life, as I was writing a book(my post doctaral).
I restart my blog and will be happy to invite you again to follow it, if you find it interesting.
The new blog is „Polish language and culture in a nutshell – a lexicon of cultural connotation”. You are mostly welcome to comment it.
with kind regards and all the best wishes,
Ewa
There’s definately a great deal to find out about this subject. I really like all of the points you made.
Highly descriptive blog, I liked that a lot.
Will there be a part 2?
What do you mean by part 2?
Do you expect another post regarding Christmas or new posts?
is there something specific you would like to learn about?
I will be pleased to supply the post with new information.
the new series of posts has just been started and will be continued in the future.
Have a good day!
Ewa
Saved as a favorite, I love your site!
My programmer is trying to persuade me to
move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea
because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on
several websites for about a year and am nervous about switching
to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.
net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?
Any help would be really appreciated!
You have to contact a technical team fro wordPress to help you. if you had yur own server at the Word Press it is possible to transform the content into a new platform.’ I do not know how, bu it is possible.
best wishes,
Ewa
I ѕtumbled оn уouг blog ωhіle
I was sеaгching on http://polіshfоrеxρats.
pl/thе-mуsterу-of-chriѕtmas-еνе/.
How’d personally get listed on http://polishforexpats.pl/the-mystery-of-christmas-eve/? I’ve гeally been attemρting
to for a while but I never ѕeem to make іt.
Chеers
Also visit my pаge waggonette
Once again another great entry. I actually have a few things to ask you, would be have some time to answer them? louis vuitton new york http://louisvuittonbags2013love.tumblr.com/
You can always ask me hear or find me at FB.
best wishes,
Ewa
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope
you write again very soon!
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?
No, my readers complans about it as well.
I can’t help.
best wishes,
Ewa
There’s certainly a great deal to know about this issue. I really like all of the points you have made.
Hi, its good article on the topic of media print, we all understand media is a impressive
source of information.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this post plus the rest of the site
is very good.
Fantastic post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Kudos!
What exactly yo would like to know?
Best wishes,
Ewa
Excellent way of explaining, and fastidious article to get facts
about my presentation focus, which i am going to present in school.
I absolutely love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own website and would like to find out where you got this from or what the theme is named. Appreciate it!
I had help. http://www.beunique.pl
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful information specifically the last part :) I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!
I am very impressed with this helping article.
The author did the excellent job, but I got several more important facts regarding this
issue. Are you interested?
Of course i am intrested. Just share it wih me. You can comment!
bes wishes,
Ewa
This article will help the internet users for building up new
blog or even a blog from start to end.
Hey very nice blog!
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website in internet explorer, would check this? IE still is the marketplace chief and a good section of people will miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.
Hm, I do not know how to solve the problem. Iam using the WordPress, so I expect the blog will be available bt IE.
I do not know How to improve it.
thank you for the information, I will as the provider for help.
With kidregards,
Ewa
Excellent website. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to a
few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And obviously, thanks to your effort!
am happy to learn it is usefeful. It is the biggest prize for the efford of writing.I will contine mr often after the the 17th of June.
See you again,
Ewa
Highly energetic article, I liked that a lot.
Will there be a part 2?
Thaksn, there will be a lot new parts, not only regarding christmas. Is there something special you would like to know?
Just ask it will help me to write more posts.
Best wishes,
Ewa
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this web site, and paragraph is truly fruitful designed for me, keep up posting such posts.
Hello, yeah this piece of writing is genuinely good and I
have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.
Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog in
the near future but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for
something completely unique. P.S Sorry for being
off-topic but I had to ask!
I am useing World press. The layout was made by a grphic, not me.
My illustrations are in the posts only.
regards,
Ewa
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Very soon this site will be famous among all blogging and site-building viewers, due to it’s pleasant content
Really? I would never expect so.
I m happy to hear you find it intresting,
Best wishes,
Ewa
Pingback: Google
Great article, totally what I was looking for.
I just want to mention I am just very new to blogs and truly enjoyed you’re blog. Probably I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You absolutely come with beneficial well written articles. Many thanks for sharing with us your blog.
Pingback: Google
Pingback: Google
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really know what you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with my website =). We can have a link exchange arrangement among us!
I have visited you www,page. I am afraid we have a different profile of activity. the links wouldn’t mach.
sorry,
Ewa
You’ve spent weeks, months… maybe years writing your blog site – now don’t just let it sit on the web ralph lauren uk on line. Turn your hard-earned creative work onto a hard copy book… Imagine home security system book turn into bestseller! Home security system own printed book, if you find yourself defined as an authority author, and it will become another passive income stream. Within your blog, the writing is produced, actually just a matter of turning your blog content a real profession
Perhaps a good idea. I am an author of several publications, but rather scietifical then popular.
It means there is no strem of money.
Best wishes,
Ewa
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as
you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a applicable deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted
of this your broadcast offered shiny transparent idea
I am happy to hear you find this blog useful and intersting. You can subscribe – use the „Ask Ewa” and became a subscriber.
Best wishes,
Ewa
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!!
Finally I’ve found something that helped me.
Thanks!
Hiya, I’m truly glad I have identified this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and online and this can be truly irritating. A good net internet site with interesting content material, that’s what I want. Thanks for keeping this internet web site, I will be going to it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specifically the last part :) I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
You made some respectable points there. I seemed on the internet for the issue and located most individuals will associate with along with your website.
You are my aspiration, I have few blogs and occasionally run out from post :). „Never mistake motion for action.” by Ernest Hemingway.
Pingback: Google
Hi to all, it’s in fact a good for me to pay a quick
visit this site, it consists of precious Information.
Excellent way of explaining, and pleasant post to
take data about my presentation focus, which i am going
to convey in institution of higher education.
Hi there I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found you
by mistake, while I was researching on Bing for
something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just
like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go
through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up
the great work.
my homepage; Bench Craft Company Tee Time
Highly descriptive blog, I liked that bit. Will there be
a part 2?
Feel free to visit my web blog: ของเล่นเสริมพัฒนาการ
I sorry not speak good English.I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
Great post however , I was wondering if you could write a
litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could
elaborate a little bit further. Appreciate it!
I sorry not speak good English.Hello. splendid job. I did not expect this. This is a great story. Thanks!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really
enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again
soon!
„I desire to make use of some of the content material on my blog. Naturally I’ll give you a link on my web blog. Thanks for sharing.”
Thanks for sharing such a nice thought, post is nice,
thats why i have read it completely
May I simply just say what a comfort to find somebody who actually knows what they
are talking about on the web. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make
it important. More people must look at this and understand this
side of your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because you
certainly possess the gift.
I hardly drop remarks, but I read through some responses here The mystery of
Christmas Eve | Polish For Expats. I actually
do have some questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be only me or do a few of these responses appear
as if they are written by brain dead folks? :-P And, if you are writing at additional sites, I would like to follow you.
Could you post a list of all of all your social sites like
your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the fantastic work!
Thank you for another excellent article. The place else could anyone get that kind of
information in such a perfect means of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such info.
Appreciation to my father who informed me about this web site, this web site is really amazing.
Feel free to visit my web blog: website
It’s going to be end of mine day, however before
end I am reading this fantastic paragraph to improve
my experience.
my web-site – ของเล่นเสริมพัฒนาการ
Magnificent web site. Lots of useful info here.
I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing
in delicious. And of course, thanks to your sweat!
Here is my page website
This is very fascinating, You are an overly skilled
blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for seeking more of
your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and come with almost all vital infos.
I’d like to look more posts like this .
my website website
Just desire to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness in your post is simply excellent and i could
assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with
your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with
forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable
work.
Magnificent web site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And obviously, thank you in your sweat!
I read this article completely on the topic of the resemblance of most recent
and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.
Hello my family member! I wish to say that
this post is amazing, great written and include approximately all important infos.
I would like to look extra posts like this .
Heya! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all
your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and
it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire
to suggest you some interesting things or advice.
Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
I want to read even more things about it!
http://www.food-intolerance-network.com?key=Coach+In+Signature+Large+Black+Wallets
Hi there everyone, it’s my first go to see at this web page, and
post is genuinely fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these types of posts.
You are so interesting! I do not believe I have read through anything
like that before. So wonderful to discover somebody with unique
thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. many thanks for starting this
up. This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of
this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that „perfect balance” between superb usability and
appearance. I must say you have done a fantastic job with this.
Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Opera. Superb
Blog!
I got this site from my pal who shared with me on the topic
of this web page and now this time I am visiting
this web page and reading very informative posts here.
Pingback: pdr training
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to trade techniques with other folks,
be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
yes i have this problem. If you have a solution it would be very helpful.
Regards,
Ewa
I was extremely pleased to uncover this site. I
want to to thank you for your time for this
particularly fantastic read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also
have you saved as a favorite to see new stuff on your web site.
I have been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting
article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you
did, the internet will be a lot more useful than evera before.
http://www.irishcomicnews.com/online/?tid=michael+kors+outlet+gilroy
Ahaa, its good conversation about this post at
this place at this web site, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at
this place.
http://janetpogorelcphotography.com?key=cheap+michael+kors
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the website is really good.
If you are in doubt, give a gift card so they can choose their own present.
Yesterday, Google for the mainland market search and navigation services when
Google HRSC. When considering which stroller to purchase during these times of austerity expectant parents want to be sure that they make an informed choice and make
their first purchase the right one.
My web page: how to get free google play music
Wonderful article! We are linking to this great content on our
site. Keep up the good writing.
Every weekend i used too pay a quck visit this website, for the
reasonn that i want enjoyment, for the reason thzt this this website conations in fact fastidious
funny material too.
My web sijte winter park hair salon
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact
was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession
capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently
rapidly.
My homepage – online survey jobs
Wow, this paragraph is fastidious, my sister is analyzing these things,
thus I am going to tell her.
michael kors shoes outlet
After looking at a handful of the blog posts on your blog, I truly appreciate your way
of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark
webpage list and will be checking back in the
near future. Please check out my web site as well and let me know how you feel.
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.|
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar
one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments?
If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.
I have the same problem and have no solution, sorry I cna’t help.
Perhpas ask for advice on your blog.
Regards,
Ewa
To setup your blog usually takes less than ten mins and it also consists of just about three simple actions (pick your writing a blog software program, sign-up your checking account and start writing a blog).Soon after developing your blog, what you may are needed to total will be to offer as quite a few refreshing contents as you possibly can about the frequently schedule . However for a lucrative blog, it’s advised you utilize located WordPress, you don need to spend a cent creating your site because you will find free versions available. A tutorial is going to be succumbed the closest long term regarding this blog concerning how to produce found WordPress blogs blog site. Positioned wp blog is hosting server based as well as you receive a domain title ($10 max.) and internet hosting assistance (may get for less than $10). You may get Alvin Phang publication, Atomic Writing a blog 3., it consists of all that you ought to learn about establishing a professional and profitable situated WordPress blogs weblog.Check out my weblog for added on Atomic Blogging 3.
Thank you for a piece of advice,
Ewa
I’ve been browsing online greater than 3 hours as of late,
but I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
It is lovely price enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers
made just right content as you probably did,
the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever
before.
cheap replica michael kors purses
Pingback: Google
Pingback: Google