Saronno-Płock: Christmas is coming....

My dear Italian Friends...... Christmas is on its way... In both countries we're getting ready for this wonderful and peacful time with our families and friends... Let me tell you a little bit about how we prepare and celebrate Christmas here in Poland. Our country is a land of intriguing traditions and legends. The first sign of coming holidays in Poland is St. Nicholas Day (12/6). In the past on this day, one person was selected to represent St. Nicholas and was driven on a sleigh to the homes in a Polish villages and cities. He was dressed in a long white robe, bishop's mirth, long white beard and held a shepherd's staff. Children who were good during the year received gingerbread cookies (pierniki), apples, and small toys. Children who were bad, received twigs as a punishment. Children and adults alike still exchange small gifts on this day. The most important day is Christmas Eve. The first star of the night that Christmas Eve has been given the affectionate name of "little star" or "Gwiazdka," in remembrance of the star of Bethlehem. On that night, all watch the sky anxiously, hoping to be the first to cry out "the star!!!' The moment the star appears, everyone exchanges greetings and good wishes. Families unite for the most carefully planned meal of the year - "Wigilia" - Christmas supper. Poles are famous for their hospitality, especially during Christmas. In Poland, an additional seat is kept for somebody unknown at the supper table. No one should be left alone at Christmas, so strangers are welcomed to the Christmas supper. This is to remind us that Mary and Joseph were also looking for shelter. According to tradition, bits of hay are spread beneath the table cloth as a reminder that Christ was born in a manger. An even number of people must be seated around the table or tradition states someone might die in the coming year. The extravagant feast on "Wigilia" is prepared many days before and is served when this first star is visible in the sky. Family and friends gather together to enjoy the delicious meal.One of the most beautiful and most revered Polish customs is the breaking of the "opłatek" (you can see it on the picture). The use of the Christmas wafe is not only by native Poles in Poland but also by people of Polish ancestry all over the world. The oplatek is a thin wafer made of flour and water. For table use, it is white. In Poland, colored wafers are used to make Christmas tree decorations. In the past, the wafers were baked by organists or by religious and were distributed from house to house in the parish during Advent. Today, they are produced commercially and are sold in religious stores and houses. Sometimes an oplatek is sent in a greeting card to loved ones away from home. To start the meal everyone breaks a wafer (Oplatek) to keep the tradition of the old days and exchange greetings and encouragement with one another. The Wigilia traditionally contains no meat. The many prepared foods include: mushroom soup, boiled potatoes (kartofle), pickled herring (sledzie), fried fish, pierogi, beans and sauerkraut (groch i kapusta), a dried fruit compote, babka, platek, assorted pastries, nuts and candies. After the great feast everyone sings Polish christmas carols. Around the Christmas tree (choinka) for gifts to be handed out. At midnight, people go to "Pasterka" or Midnight Mass. Everybody attended except infants and very sick. After the sermon, the entire congregation sing more Christmas Carols (kolędy).When Christmas day comes to an end the Christmas spirit is not snuffed out. In fact, it lasts until February. During this period of Christmas cheer, the local theaters put on Christmas plays and everyone has High Spirits. Also, the boys of the town make beautiful nativity scenes called Szopki. The Christmas Day is spent quietly within the intimate family; visiting with friends and relatives. Christmas Day is traditionally free of unnecessary work. The menu concentrates on meat, which is probably why the most popular dish on this day is "bigos" or hunter's stew. This dish can and should be prepared ahead of time. Christmas Day itself is spent in rest, prayer, and visits to various members of the family. In Poland, from Christmas Day until the twelfth night, boys trudge from village to village withan illuminated star and a ranting King Herod among them to sing carols. Sometimes, they penetrate the towns in expectation of more generous gifts. During the Christmas season, the theaters give special performances. On the feast of the Epiphany, the priest and the organist visit the homes, bless them and write over their doors the initials of the three wise men - KMB (Kasper, Melchior and Balthazar) - in the belief that this will spare the homes from misfortune. The Christmas season closes on February 2, known as Candlemas Day. On that day, people carry candles to church and have them blessed for use in their homes during storms, sickness and death. In Poland, Christmas day is a day of rest, meditation, prayer, and greatfulness. And that is how most of us celebrate Christmas...before I go let me wish you: