The Christmas Holiday in Poland
The Republic of Poland is a small country located in the center of Europe, bordered by the Czech Republic, Russia, Germany, Slovakia, Belarus, Lithuania, and the Baltic Sea. Poland is influenced by all of these cultures, and it is apparent in the food they eat, their ways of life, and the way they celebrate holidays Christmas in particular.
Christmas may very well be one of the most popular holidays in Poland. The Christmas season may begin as early as four Sundays before Christmas at the beginning of the Advent. Special church services are held every morning, sometimes as early as 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning. During the Advent, the Polish people exercise many Christmas traditions. One of the most popular traditions is the pouring of hot bees wax into a bucket of cool water. The wax immediately cools off when it touches the cold water, and the pieces of wax may take one of several forms. The different shapes that the pieces of wax form are used to tell fortunes, and are popular because the holiday is so close to the New Year.
Christmas trees are a cherished tradition in Poland during the holiday season. Not only are trees in the homes of practically every person who celebrates Christmas and can afford it, but they are also displayed in the neighborhoods, on city streets, and in parks. The trees are gaily lit and decorated with candles, Christmas lights, ornaments, cookies, and even candy wrapped in bright red or green paper or foil. Sometimes apples may also be used to decorate the trees.
Oplatek, Christmas bread, is an integral part of the Christmas tradition in Poland. Oplatek are pieces of bread that have been pressed flat and imprinted with Christmas scenes. In the old days, people used to bake lots of pieces of Oplatek and distribute them to their neighbors in the name of good will; it was a way of wishing their friends and family a Merry Christmas. These days many people do still use oplatek as an object of good feeling between neighbors, but these days the distribution of these Christmas novelties is kept mostly within the realm of friends and immediate family.
Wigilia is the Polish word for Christmas Eve, or the day before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, some families distribute gifts on Christmas Eve and others wait until the more traditional occasion of Christmas morning. Whatever day they choose to open their presents, Wigilia is a time for families to spend time together, celebrating the Christmas holiday. Women bake cookies and bread and spend time with their daughters or female family members. Men eat, spend time with the family, and they may get a small amount of work done to prepare for the upcoming holiday.
Christmas Eve is when Polish families partake in their Christmas dinner, and it does not start until the first star appears in the sky. This is in remembrance of the star in the sky that guided the three wise men to Bethlehem to baby Jesus' manger.