Traditional Christmas in Poland

Advent

Traditionally, Advent is an important season in the Polish year, with special church services, known as Roraty, being held every morning at 6am. The four Sundays of Advent are said to represent the 4,000 years of waiting for Christ.During Advent and, in some homes, on Christmas Eve, bees wax or plain wax is poured on water, and fortunes are told from the shapes which emerge.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in Poland is called Wigilia. The Latin origins of the word Wigilia are the same as those of the English word "vigil," meaning keeping watch in expectation of something. Of course, what the Christian world awaits on this date is the birth of Jesus, the Christ Child. The Catholic custom is that of attending midnight Mass or "Pasterka," a name that comes from "pasterze" the Polish word for shepherds who, according to the evangelists, were the first to greet the New Born King.

A traditional food found in Poland is Oplatek which is a piece of bread pressed with a holy picture on the surface. Oplatek is more symbolic than real food. We celebrate with at least 12 different vegetarian dishes like: mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with pea, stuffed dumplings, and shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some homes - some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected with Christ's manger).

Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree came to Poland just a hundred years ago, and with it the custom of giving gifts on Christmas Eve, rather than on New Year’s Day. It was brought to Poland by German settlers who came to Poland in massive numbers during the period of the partitions, that is, from 1795 to 1918 when Poland were occupied by the Prussians (Germans), the Russians, and the Austrians. Already then various decorations, among them de rigeur the "forbidden fruit," that is apples, were hanged on the tree’s branches and paper chains, symbolizing the serpent, were draped on it. The Christmas Tree was thus a symbol of the Garden of Eden's tree of life.

Christmas Carols

The Polish carol has an essentially folk song character, which makes it specifically national. The melodies are characteristically Polish - gay, tender, even humorous - typical of the Polish peasant or mountaineer. There is a native unconscious poetry about all of them. The Infant Jesus, poor and homeless, born in a stable surrounded by the familiar domestic animals, appeals to the heart and the imagination of all peoples.

The most popular Polish carol

Quickly On To Bethlehem

Giving their respects in all humility,
To the Infant Jesus from hearts lovingly,
Glory to God on Highest
Glory to God on Highest
And on earth, peace to men.

Przybiezeli do Betlejem

Oddawali swe uklony w pokorze,
Tobie z serca ochotnego, o Boze!
Chwala na wysokosci,
Chwala na wysokosci,
A pokoj na ziemi.