Christmas stories seen through children's eyes Christmas in the countries of Europe | Page 6

attend a Wigilia dinner with a family is considered a high honour. ] On the night of
Christmas Eve, the appearance of the first star in the sky is watched for, in remembrance
of the Star of Bethlehem, that it has been given an affectionate name of "the little star" or
Gwiazdka (the female counterpart of St. Nicholas). On that evening, children watch the
sky anxiously hoping to be the first to cry out, "The star has come!" After the first star
appearance is declared, the family members sit down to a dinner table.
According to tradition, bits of hay are spread beneath the tablecloth as a reminder that
Christ was born in a manger. Others partake in the practice of placing money under the
table cloth for each guest, in order to wish for prosperity in the coming year. The dinner
contains twelve dishes, one for each Apostle. In many homes, an extra place setting is set.
The empty setting is symbolically left at the table for a lonely wanderer who may be in
need of food, an angel, the Baby Jesus or the Holy Spirit should appear to share the feast.
Before eating, everyone exchanges Christmas greetings with each other. The supper
begins with the breaking of the opłatek. By sharing a piece of Christmas wafer (Opłatki),
when everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with
Christ. The opłatek is usually blessed by the presiding Bishop, and stamped with a
religious image, such as the nativity scene, they then share a piece with each family
member.
A tradition
among some families
twelve different dishes at
Wigilia symbolizing
the Twelve Apostles, or perhaps,
an odd number of dishes for
good luck (usually five, seven,
nine). Some practice the
or
exists
to
serve
superstition that an even number
of must
people
around
the
table.
be
seated