Wes0łych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia that is the way to say “Merry Christmas” in Polish. Among Poles, wherever they are, the most beloved and beautiful of all traditional festivities is Christmas, with Christmas Eve (Wigilia) as the highlight of the celebrations.
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, Christmas supper (wieczerza wigilijna).
The dinner table is covered with the best white tablecloth with bits of hay underneath as a reminder that Jesus was born in a manger. An extra seat and a place setting are left prepared for an “unexpected guest”.
Before the company seat themselves, the oldest person breaks opłatek (a wafer” of unleavened dough stamped with scenes of the nativity, blessed by the parish priest) and shares it with the rest. Then people spontaneously exchange good wishes with each other.
After sharing the wafer, the Christmas supper finally begins. It traditionally consists of 12 courses, including some of the best of Polish cuisine. No meat is served, only fish, usually hering (śledź), carp (karp) or pike (szczupak).
Other tradition- al dishes appearing on the table include red borscht (barszcz czerwony), mushroom or fish soup (zupa grzybowa lub rybna), sauerkraut with wild mushrooms or peas (kapusta z grzybami lub grochem), boiled or fried pierogis (gotowane lub smażone pierogi), dried fruit compote (kompot z suszonych owocow), poppyseed cake (makowiec) and kutia, a dessert especially popular in eastern Poland.
After the meal, presents (prezenty) are opened and the family usually gathers around the Christmas tree (choinka) to sing the carols (kolędy). At midnight, the little ones are put to bed and the elders attend Pasterka, the Shepherds Mass.
Christmas Day is spent with the family, in rest and prayer; visiting of friends and relatives begins on Dec.26, St. Stephen’s Day. The holiday atmosphere continues until the New Year’s Eve (Sylwester), when the action starts again, with a variety of balls and parties.
And now Dear Readers, wishing each other a very Merry Christmas, let us sing the “Silent Night” carol in both languages, English and Polish.
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 Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior 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
Cicha noc, święta noc,
Pokój niesie ludziom wszem,
A u żłobka Matka Święta
Czuwa sama uśmiechnięta,
Nad Dzieciątka snem,
Nad Dzieciątka snem
Cicha noc, święta noc,
Pastuszkowie od swych trzód,
Biegną wielce zadziwieni,
Za Anielskim głosem pieni,
Gdzie się spełnił cud
Gdzie się spełnił cud
Cicha noc, święta noc
Narodzony Boży Syn,
Pan wielkiego majestatu
Niesie dziś całemu światu
Odkupienie win,
Odkupienie win
