1. CHRISTMAS

2. Polish traditions and Christmas customs
Christmas traditions in Poland
First star, beautifully decorated Christmas tree and the wafer are the most important symbols of Christmas. The meaning of these symbols and traditions connected with them should be known by everybody

3. First Star
It is the symbol of the first star, which appeared when Jesus was born.
Thanks to it, the shepherds, Three Kings, could reach the place of the
saviour's birth. We are waiting for the first star today, which will appear in the sky. When it shines, then, according to tradition, we can sit down
at the Christmas table and share the wafer. 

4. Wafer Its name is connected with the
Latin word “oblatum” which means a gift.
This is just a thin piece of crunchy wheat
flour and water. There are Christmas
scenes on it .
The tradition of sharing
bread derives from pagan
traditions. Now it is a
Christian custom, and we share the wafer before the Christmas supper. When we give wishes to each other, we shall forgive all the faults, and sit at the table with clear hearts.

5. We put it under the white table-cloth on the table where we have
Christmas hay
We put it under the white table-cloth on the table where we have
Christmas supper. It is a symbol of a place where Jesus was lying after his birth, a shed and hay.

6. Christmas tree
It is usually decorated on Christmas Eve or on 23 December. Once these were
the ornamented sheaves of hay or branches. Then the
custom of bringing decorated trees into houses came to other Christian countries from Germany. Christmas decorations should be connected with symbols of
Christmas, and on its top people hang a big bauble. Once these were apples,
now we have glass baubles. The green tree is the symbol of the Saviour’s birth.
We can turn on the fairy light when the first star is in the sky.

7. Carols
We begin to sing them at Christmas table. These are the songs telling about the Lord's birth. Their name comes from Latin word “calendae”
which meant the first day of month. First they were sung by the Romans, then Christians started to sing them. The oldest Polish Christmas carol is “Farewell, the King of Angels”, and it dates from about 1420

8. Silent Night Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

9. Presents
For many people this is the most pleasant Christmas custom. And this is
what is mainly associated with Christmas. This custom was connected
with St Nicolas, today, we consider them as gifts from a little Jesus.

10. which is clean and where the evil alternates with the good.
Shed
Jesus was born there. It is a symbol of us as well. We are like a small shed
which is clean and where the evil alternates with the good.
However, Jesus comes to the sheds, that means that He comes to us and gives us hope, love and faith. He is born in us!

11. Christmas Midnight Mass
This is the traditional Mass which is celebrated at night from 24 on 25 December. It is a symbol of watching the Jesus’ birthplace by the shepherds. We take part in the mass with our families and this is the most important moment of Christmas time.