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 is poured on water, and fortunes are told from the shapes which emerge.
Just plain wax, from candles. But it is diffrent holiday - wax pouring, and
this kind of fortunetelling are celebrated on 30 november, but it is
connected rather with Andrew's nameday, than with exact christmas.
Special tasks carried out during Advent are the baking of
the Christmas piernik or honey cake, and the making of Christmas
decorations. Pierniki are made in a great variety of shapes,
including hearts, animals and St Nicholas figures. Traditional decorations
include the pajaki = spiders, which are handmade mobiles, stars and
decorated egg shells. Pajaki are traditional decorations, rather lots of
bomblets, colourful paper chains and lots of electric lights.
Beautifully lit Christmas trees are placed in all public
arenas, outside churches and in homes. Traditionally the trees are decorated
with shiny apples, gift walnuts, beautifully wrapped chocolate shapes and
many homemade decorations and candles. On the top of the tree is a star or a
glittering top piece. In many homes, sparklers are hung on the branches of
the trees giving it a magical air. Sometimes the trees are left standing
until February 2nd, the feast day of St Mary of the Candle of Lightning.
During Advent, the Gwiadorze or star carriers, used
to begin wandering through the towns and villages and this would continue
until Epiphany. Some of the Gwiadorze sang carols, others recited
verses or put on Szopi or puppet show, or herody or nativity
scenes. The last two customs are developments from traditional manger scenes
or Jaselka or crib. Star carriers are called carol singers. They sing
carols. "put on Szopi" - you rather meant "perform Szopke". It is scene when
Chist is born, and three kings come to the manger. "Herody" - you mean
Herod's performance. The story, about evil king Herod, who was forseen to
loose his power from a child, so he ordered to kill all the childs. Jaselka=Szopka.
It is the same performance.
Christmas Eve, Wigilia, is an important part of the
Polish Christmas, in fact, the most important rituals are celebrated on this
day.
A traditional food found in Poland is Oplatek which
is piece of bread pressed with a holy picture on the surface. Oplatek is
only the begin. It is more symbolic than real food. We celebrate with at
least 12 diffrent vegetarian dishes like: mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with
pea, stuffed dumplings, shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some homes
- some hay is put under the tablecloth (it is connected with Christ's
manger).
People once carried these oplatek from house to
house and wish their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the bread is
mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors. As each
person shares the bread, they would have to do two things: forgive any hurts
that have occurred over the past year and to wish the person all the
happiness in the coming year.
