Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful festive season. This time of year is about gratitude, reflection, and holding on to traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Whether you are celebrating in Poland, Ireland, the UK, or anywhere else in the world, Christmas is a moment to slow down and reconnect with family, language, and heritage.
For many Polish families, the heart of Christmas is Wigilia – Christmas Eve – a celebration rich in symbolism, ritual, and meaning.
What is Wigilia?
Wigilia is celebrated on 24th December and is considered more important than Christmas Day itself. Traditionally, it is a quiet, reflective evening spent with close family. The day was once observed as a fast, and even today many families keep the meal meat-free.
The celebration begins only when the first star appears in the sky, symbolising the Star of Bethlehem. This moment is especially magical for children – and a gentle reminder that Christmas is about patience, hope, and togetherness.
The Christmas Eve Table
A traditional Wigilia table is full of quiet symbols:
- A white tablecloth, representing purity
- One extra place at the table, for an unexpected guest or someone who may be alone
- Hay placed under the tablecloth, reminding us of the manger in Bethlehem
Before the meal begins, family members share opłatek – a thin wafer – breaking it with one another and exchanging wishes for health, peace, and goodwill. This is often the most emotional moment of the evening.
Traditional Wigilia Food
Tradycyjnie na polskim stole wigilijnym pojawia się 12 potraw, symbolizujących 12 apostołów oraz dostatek na nadchodzący rok. Najczęściej są to:
Each dish is tasted, even if only a little – to ensure good fortune in the year ahead.
Carols, Quietness, and Meaning
After the meal, families often sing kolędy (traditional Polish carols), exchange gifts, and spend time together in a calm, unhurried way. Many attend Midnight Mass (Pasterka) later that night.
Wigilia is not loud or extravagant. It is deeply traditional, reflective, and rooted in values: respect, family bonds, and continuity.
Wishes from me
I believe that language is inseparable from culture. Understanding traditions like Wigilia helps my students not only speak Polish, but feel it – with all its history and depth.
Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you peace, warmth, and moments that truly matter.
Merry Christmas and Wesołych Świąt,
Sylwia
