 |
| Christmas in Warsaw |
I'll keep this post short and sweet since everyone is busy and there isn't much to tell. We are just waiting for the phone call. We won't know anything until we receive a call that says we have been matched with our children. So we are spending this Christmas season praying for them and asking God to let them know they are loved and we are coming for them soon.
Until then, here are some Polish Christmas decorations and traditions.
This is a Polish Christmas star. Isn't it pretty? They are made in all sorts of colors and hung on the tree or in windows. I've seen instructions on how to make them, but have not been brave enough to try it yet.
Another Polish Tradition is the Star Supper on Christmas Eve:
After sunset, the youngest child is sent to watch for the first star. This is why the wigilia dinner is also known as the Star Supper. Only then are the candles on the table lit and the dinner begun. But not a morsel is eaten before the "breaking of the oplatki."
The eldest family member takes the oplatek wafer, breaks it and shares it with the next eldest with wishes for good health and prosperity, and a kiss on each cheek. Each person then exchanges oplatek with everyone else at the table. It can be a very emotional time as grudges are forgotten and deceased family members are remembered.
Some Poles share a pink-colored oplatki with the household (and barnyard) animals because they were the first to greet the Baby Jesus at midnight. The animals also receive a taste of every course of the meal mixed in with their feed.
Instead of sending Christmas cards to friends and family not present, Poles send oplatki, first tearing off a small corner to show that the donor has broken it with them as a token of affection.
The full story can be found here http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/christmaseve/a/Polishxmas.htm
Wesołych Świąt from the Beach Family!
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
