CHRISTMAS

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

First StarIt 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

thesaviour'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. 

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.

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.

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.

CarolsWe 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

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

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

Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

PresentsFor 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.

ShedJesus 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!

 

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.