Christmas in Poland

CHRISTMAS TREE   On the eve of Christmas, almost every Polish family placed in their home and decorate the Christmas tree. This is one of the earliest traditions of Christmas.

FIRST STAR In Poland, Christmas Eve begins when the sky will punish the first star.

HOLY SCRIPTURE Dinner begins the prayer and the reading portion of the Gospel of Matthew or Luke concerning the birth of Jesus.

HAY White tablecloth and hay under the tablecloth to remind you of diapers and the baby in the stable.

WAFER The most important moment of Christmas Eve in Poland is the custom of breaking the wafer. This activity occurs after reading the Gospel of the Nativity of the Lord.

  ADDITIONAL COVER Additional cover is intended for the casual visitor. Leaving free space at the table, we express the memory of our loved ones who can not spend the holidays with us.

TWELWE DISHES According to tradition on the board should find a twelve Christmas Eve dishes. Try any dish that it does not run out on the table next year.

PRESENTS On Christmas Eve, mainly children but also adults receive various gifts. Children believe that it brings St. Nicholas, angel, or the Child Jesus (in Wielkopolska and Dolny Śląsk).

CHRISTMAS CAROLS An integral part of Christmas Eve was, and is singing Christmas carols. Christmas carols about the birth of Jesus we have a lot in the Polish tradition. The oldest date back to medieval times.

MIDNIGHT MASS A midnight Mass is mass celebrated at churches precisely at midnight. She is finishing the Christmas Eve. It commemorates the arrival of the shepherds to Bethlehem and the submission of their homage to the newborn Messiah.

EPIPHANY The Christmas period closes Epiphany.

THE END Joanna Mqczan