CHRISTMAS IN POLAND Christmas Day – in Christian tradition feast which commemorate the birth of Jesus Christus. It is always day 25 December. Christmas Day is preceded by Advent. Christmas Eve isday 24 December.

CHRISTMAS EVE Christmas Eve in the Polish is tradition the most solemn and most touching evening of the year. The word "Christmas Eve" comes from Latin and means a vigil. Christmas Supper this is strictly a family. Adopted in Poland is the eighteenth century, when it became a tradition in the twentieth century.This is the first housewives arrange general cleaning, washing, cleaning.

DISHES According to tradition, the number of Christmas Eve dishes should be eneven.Is allowed number of 12 dishes - in honor of the twelve apostles. This dishes are: *mushroom soup *red borscht with dumplings *cabbage with peas *carp in aspic *cabbage with mushrooms *fish in Greek *noodles with poppy seeds *kutia *opium *compote of dried *dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms *noodles with cabbage

SHARING THE WAFER. The most important and the most touching moment was and is sharing the blessed wafer. The name "wafer" is derived from the Latin word "oblatum„ or the offering. The wafer was used for the Holy Mass was not until the fifteenth century became more popular when there has been a massive baking. He was a snack of wine, a means to seal letters, lubricated with honey was a delicacy for children.

CHRISTMAS CAROL. An inseparable part of Christmas is the Christmas carol. Name carol appeared long ago. It is derived from the word "Calendae", so called because the Romans beginning of each month. Over time carol song called not only for Christmas, but also the habit of walking from house to house with the wishes of Christmas - New Year. Subsequent centuries brought new carols,and the greatest of their flowering dates back to the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Then arose today known carols as „Silence of the night", God is born" and others.

CHRISTMAS TREE. On the eve of Christmas almost every Polish family puts in his apartment and decor Tree decoration. It is one of the youngest tradition of Christmas Eve. Among conifer twigs wind round chains, light, straw and tissue paper, are a souvenir of Serpent- tempter. The star at the top of the tree symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, which led the Three Kings to Baby Jesus. Trees also be dressed in gingerbread figurines of humans and animals, colorfully frosted, sprinkled with poppy seeds,. Decorated Christmas tree became home to Epiphany. In many parts of the Polish custom of dressing the Christmas tree has become firmly established until the early twentieth century.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Christmas Eve custom of giving gifts beginning Aug. your take even the Roman Saturnalia. As of later centuries by the Church was named Star, for gifts given when first noticed in the sky a star. Half a star identified with the star of Bethlehem. Because this part of Christmas Eve were most interested in children, therefore no wonder that they eagerly looked out of the first star in the sky.

SANTA CLAUS They love it all - adults and children, rich and poor, residents of large cities and small towns. It is said, and was born at the turn of the century III and IV in Turkey. Circulating about him many legends. In Poland, we are waiting for him on 6 December and Christmas Eve. He is dressed in a red coat, and on his back lugging a huge sack with presents. Not so long ago the Polish children came in the company of an angel and the devil. Angel polite toddlers distributed sweets and naughty devil handed rod.

Thank you for attention By Roksana Raubic