In Poland, the traditional Christmas feast occurs on Christmas Eve, or
Wigilia, a day that holds equal importance with Christmas Day. Before
the table is set, straw or hay is placed under a white tablecloth. An
extra place is set for any unexpected visitor, as a reminder that the
Holy family was turned away from inns in Bethlehem and that those
seeking shelter are welcome on this special night.
The traditional Polish Christmas meal consists of 12 dishes, one for each of the 12 apostles. These dishes are usually meatless, though this restriction does not exclude the preparation of fish. Typically, people watch for the first star to appear in the night sky before sitting down to eat. The breaking of symbolic wafers precedes the meal and everyone shares pieces of the broken wafers.
It is on this day that the Christmas tree is decorated. The
Polish Christmas tree can be decorated with shapes cut from gingerbread,
colored wafers, cookies, fruit, candy, straw ornaments, decorations
made from eggshells, or commercially produced ornaments.
Sebastian Bugaj
The traditional Polish Christmas meal consists of 12 dishes, one for each of the 12 apostles. These dishes are usually meatless, though this restriction does not exclude the preparation of fish. Typically, people watch for the first star to appear in the night sky before sitting down to eat. The breaking of symbolic wafers precedes the meal and everyone shares pieces of the broken wafers.
Sebastian Bugaj
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