Christmas in Poland

 Everyone loves Christmas.This is unique time when people try to be kind, friendly and generous to one another. They seem to forget all their problems, quarrels and just enjoy being together. 

Streets are lit by coloured lamps: shops are full of people buying presents ,chooing Christmas cards : Christmas trees are set up in every home and decorated with sparkling tinsel ,candles, chains ,toys and trinkets. The day preceding Christmas is a unique one. It is belived that everything that might happen on it might influence the whole year to come. 

 

Much attention ,for instance ,is paid to the person who first enters the house and if it is a man ,he ensures welfare to all members of the family. Some people say that if you ask for food on that day ,you will be hungry throughout the year. 

The moment everyone waits for is Christmas Eve. When the first star appears in the sky ,people take their seats at the Christmas table.They do not forget to leave an empty place for an unexpected guest. The table is covered with a white tablecloth and hay is spread on it. Another custom is the number of dishes. Taditionally there should be twelve of them and they all must be tasted. The most popular dishes are red borsch ,pies or sour cabbage with mushrooms ,fish and poppy-seed cake. Before the family stars eating ,all its mebers share the holy wafer. 

There is also a custom of giving presents and everyone may find something nicender the Christmas tree. At midnight many people go to church to attend a special mass during which Christmas carols are sung. 

The first day of Christmas - 25 december - is usually spent at home. Work is forbidden. On that day carol-singers dressed as an angel ,a devil ,King or death ,visit people's houses. The second day of christmas is spent in different way. People visit one another ,spend much time at the table talking or singing carols. From that day the festivities begin.

by Asia Ś.