1. Christmas
in Poland
by Mateusz Sądel

2. In Poland, the first star is a signal to start the gala dinner.

3. the Christmas Eve supper we say a prayer and pray for the deceased.
Before
the Christmas Eve supper
we say a prayer
and pray for the deceased.
In the past, it was believed
that during the prayer, the dead from our family came
to the house
to join the living
on"Christmas Eve"
at the Christmas Eve
table.

4. The number
of dishes should be in line with the number of apostles and months throughout the year. On our tables, the most common are mushroom soup,carp, herring, borscht with tortellini, dumplings with mushrooms, kutia, croquettes, gingerbread, Greek fish and noodles with poppy seeds.

5. In Poland, we go for Pasterka which is a Midnight mass celebrated by Roman Catholics during Christmas between 24 and 25 December across Poland. A close translation of the name would be the "Shepherds' Mass", in reference to the Biblical shepherds, who were visited by an angel and told of the birth of Christ. During the Pasterka Mass, Polish people sing traditional kolędy (Christmas carols from the Roman calendae) in the spirit of joy.

6. Kolędy ( Christmas carols)
Christmas carols are not sung in Poland only after the Christmas Midnight Mass ("Pasterka"). The Christmas season often runs until February 2. The early hymns sung in Catholic church were brought to Poland by the Franciscan Brothers in the Middle Ages. The early Christmas music was Latin in origin. When the Polish words and melodies started to become popular, including many new secular pastorals (pastoralka, or shepherd's songs), they were not written down originally, but rather taught among people by heart. Many of the early Polish carols were collected in 1838 by Rev. Mioduszewski in a book called Pastorals and Carols with Melodies.

7. Polish hand-made Christmas ornaments
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 winter season. The modern glass workshops and manufacturers tend to be localized in the southern regions of Poland.

8. Advent
In the liturgy and the folk customs, Christmas is preceded by a three-week wait (exactly four Sundays), called Advent. During this period, the faithful take part in the rituals dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the past, Advent wreaths were also woven in some regions of Poland, which hung in the house on the first Sunday of Advent and lit a candle on it. Each next Sunday, more candles were added. Tradition has also been baking Christmas gingerbread, making decorations for the Christmas tree. In the Advent period, December 6 is the day of Saint. Nicholas, when children are given gifts, put on shoes or under pillows.

9. Forms of rite in Poland
The essence of caroling was the ceremonial exchange of gifts. In exchange for the wishes the hosts gave Christmas carolers delicious treats or small donations. Both the form of making wishes (singing, reciting, shouting) and accompanying activities (eg carol singing performances, dances, performance demonstrations) and costumes of participants of the rite were extremely diverse and dependent on the region and time.

10. "Bóg się rodzi"
"Bóg się rodzi" (English: "God Is Born") is a Polish Christmas carol (Polish: kolęda), with lyrics written by Franciszek Karpiński in Its stately melody (the composer has not been established) is traditionally known to be a coronation polonaise for Polish Kings dating back as far as during the reign of Stefan Batory in the 16th century. The carol is regarded by some as the National Christmas hymn of Poland, and, for a short time, it was also considered a national anthem, for instance by poet Jan Lechoń. It has also been called "One of the most beloved Polish Christmas carols".