It’s Boże Narodzenie, “God’s Birthday”, in Poland.  With the bulk of the celebrations having taken place on the 24th, today will be about rest.  The tradition of eating dirty river fish has followed us from Slovakia as carp is well loved here too.  We’ve learned new Christmas traditions.  Strict Polish Catholics will have fasted for days before Christmas.  This fast is broken on Christmas Eve with a meal of 12 dishes.  The meal begins once the first star is visible in the night sky.  Most people no longer fast or can see stars from within city limits.  One tradition that has endured is setting an empty place at the table.  This is done to remember family who have died.  This place is also prepared just in case someone else joins the celebration – we like that!

To further your understanding of Polish Christmas we defer to the teaching prowess of Veggie Tales in this video:

Whatever traditions you follow, we pray that today you know peace and goodwill to all mankind.

So to our friends in Poland we say, Wesołych świąt i szczęśliwego nowego roku.

To all of our friends in Slovakia we say, Veselé vianoce a Štastný nový rok.

And to our friends and family all over the world, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.