In Poland, there are many meaningful Christmas traditions celebrated, as well as a history of some strange ones. Christmas Eve dinner, or Wigilia, is a solemn affair and arouses deep feelings of kinship among family members. Traditional food is prepared days in advance. Everyone watches for the first star of the evening, called Gwiazdka, to appear in the east. Then LaMarr Woodley cheap jerseys the feast, which commemorates the birth of Christ, can begin. A thin layer of hay is spread under a white tablecloth to remind everyone of Christ in the manger. Before everyone sits down to the table, they break a wafer, called an Oplatek, and exchange good wishes for health, wealth, and happiness in the new year. The number of courses is set at twelve. Traditionally, the Brandon Jacobs cheap jerseys is meatless. A candle is lit in a window in hopes that Jesus, in the form of a stranger, will join in the feast. An extra place is set for the stranger. According to myth, there should always be an even number at the table, or one person will not live to see another Christmas. Many Poles also go to Christmas Eve Mass, called Pasterka. Many people believe that while praying, peace descends on Earth, and that domestic animals assume voices. However, only the pure of heart can hear patrick peterson cheap jerseys the animals. Christmas Day is spent resting, praying, and with family. From Christmas Day until the twelfth night, boys travel from village to village to sing Christmas carols. The Christmas season ends on February second. On this day, known as Candlemas Day, people take candles to church to be blessed. The candles are then used in homes during storms, sickness, and death. There were several strange celebrations that were taken seriously in the past, but are now part of the family fun. For example, houses were cleaned thoroughly because it is believed evil will dwell in things left dirty on Christmas Eve. Another superstition says that if a woman is the first to enter a house on Christmas Eve, only heifers would be born on the farm that year. There are also several superstitions young women partake in to discover the identities of their future spouse. In eastern Poland, it is believed that if a girl grinds poppy seeds on Christmas Eve, she could hope to be married soon. After dinner, she would leave the house, and their husband would come from the direction of the first dog bark she heard. Customs to ensure betrothal or a good harvest have been a part of Polish custom for hundreds of years. So has the tradition of family gathering Mark Sanchez cheap jerseys and reconciliation. Many of the stranger customs are no longer treated seriously, but the tradition of family remains.
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