Christmas is one of the biggest holidays of the year.
When I moved to Alaska from Poland I realized how different the two cultures are but also how similar they are.
It was a big shock for me. I think what I missed the most was the way and how long we celebrate Christmas in Poland.
Advent is the beginning of Christmas time in Poland. It starts four Sundays before Christmas and ends with the feast of the Three Kings on January 6.
It’s a time when people try to be at peace with each other and remember the real reason for Christmas (a time of forgiveness, reconciliation and love) and excess is frowned upon.
According to the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of fasting and mourning. Exceptions are made for the festivities on St. Nicholas Day, which is December 6 when Santa Claus leaves small gifts under a child’s pillow.
Often in Poland, there are parties organized for children when Santa Claus himself distributes the gifts. Before Santa gives any presents, he asks a child to say a prayer, make the sign of the cross, recite a part of the catechism or just sing a favorite song.
Christmas Eve supper is the most important meal during the holiday season. Traditional foods are eaten until the first star is seen in the sky. Children look at the night sky to spot the first star.
The supper begins with the breaking of a large wafer biscuit called an “opłatek”, which has a picture of Mary, Joseph and Jesus on it. It’s passed around the table and everyone breaks a piece off and eats it. Sometimes a small piece may be given to farm animals or pets that the family may have. One seat is often left empty at the table for any unexpected guest. Polish people say that no one should be alone or hungry that evening, therefore if someone unexpectedly knocks on the door they are welcomed in.
On the table there are 12 dishes: Symbolizing 12 months of good luck and the 12 apostles.
Carp is the main dish of the meal. The fish itself is traditionally bought live a few days earlier and it swims in the bathtub until it’s killed by the lady of the house. The carp’s scales are said to bring luck and fortune. I still remember my little brother and me feeding breadcrumbs to the carp as my mother would say, “Stop playing with that fish.”
Traditionally, everyone has to eat or at least try some of each dish and red meat is not served as part of the Christmas Eve supper.
“Barszcz” (beetroot soup) is one of the most important
dishes; it’s served with “uszka”
(little dumplings with mushrooms) or “krokiety” (pancakes with mushrooms and cabbage, in breadcrumbs, fried in oil or butter).
“Bigos” is a dish that can be eaten either hot or cold. It’s made of cabbage, bacon and sometimes dried plums, so it’s saved for Christmas Day or the 26th as it has meat in it. It is made about a week or so before Christmas Eve, because with each day it gets better.
Herring is also a very popular dish and is served in several ways: in oil, in cream or in jelly.
The most popular desserts are “makowiec,” a poppy seed roll made of sweet yeast bread; “kutia,” mixed dried fruits and nuts with wheat seeds; and “piernik,” a moist cake made with honey, which is similar to gingerbread.
For Polish people, Christmas time is just not one day in December; you can experience it for a whole month. It’s the best time of the year to celebrate being together with family and friends.
Reader Comments(0)