Opłatki Christmas Wafers

Opłatki: The Polish Christmas Wafer and Its Traditions

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Opłatki are thin, rectangular wafers made of flour and water, traditionally used during Christmas celebrations in Poland. The word opłatek (plural: opłatki) comes from the Latin word oblatum, which means "to offer." The tradition surrounding the opłatek is deeply rooted in Polish culture and is one of the most cherished aspects of the Christmas season.

What is Opłatek?

Opłatek is a very simple food item, typically made from unleavened wheat dough that is baked into thin, crispy wafers. These wafers are often white but can be flavored or colored with natural dyes in modern variations. The most traditional opłatki are plain and have an embossed image, often of a religious scene such as the nativity, a cross, or angels, symbolizing the sacred nature of Christmas.

While opłatki can be eaten at any time of the year, their special significance and use are tied specifically to Christmas Eve (Wigilia), which is considered the most important family celebration in Polish tradition.

The Tradition of Sharing Opłatek

The central tradition of the opłatek revolves around sharing the wafer with loved ones on Christmas Eve, just before the start of the Wigilia dinner. The custom is a beautiful expression of peace, forgiveness, and unity among family members and friends.

The Process:

1. Before the Meal: On Christmas Eve, families gather together for a festive meal known as Wigilia. In many households, a piece of opłatek is placed at each setting or on the dinner table.

2. Breaking and Sharing: The head of the family, often the Father or Grandfather, begins the ceremony by breaking off a small piece of the opłatek and offering it to the person next to them. As they break the wafer, they typically exchange wishes for the Christmas season, often with phrases such as:

   • "Wesołych Świąt" (Merry Christmas)
   • "Pokój i radość na te Święta" (Peace and joy for this Christmas)
   • "Zdrowia, szczęścia, pomyślności" (Health, happiness, and prosperity)

3. Offering to Others: After breaking off a piece and exchanging wishes, the individual will pass their broken opłatek to the next person. The process continues, with each person breaking off a piece from their opłatek and sharing it with others in the room. The sharing is a ritual act of goodwill, where people offer their best wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity for the coming year.

4. Forgiveness: One of the most important aspects of this tradition is the symbolic gesture of forgiveness. The sharing of opłatek is an opportunity for family members and friends to reconcile any differences or grievances that might have arisen during the year. It is a moment of humility and healing. It is said that, through the act of sharing the opłatek, families renew bonds and ensure a harmonious and peaceful celebration.

After the Sharing:

Once the opłatek has been shared, the family gathers to enjoy the Wigilia meal, which consists of multiple courses, including fish (traditionally carp), beetroot soup (barszcz), pierogi (dumplings), and other Polish dishes. The meal is often accompanied by Christmas carols (kolędy), and the evening culminates with the opening of gifts and the continuation of festive traditions.

Religious Significance of Opłatek

Opłatek has a profound religious meaning, especially for Polish Catholics. The wafer is symbolically linked to the Eucharist, the body of Christ. In this context, breaking and sharing the opłatek is not only a sign of love and goodwill but also a spiritual act. It mirrors the communal sharing of the bread in Christian liturgy and symbolizes the unity of believers in Christ.

In many Polish homes, a Nativity scene (szopka) is set up during Christmas, and the opłatek ceremony can be integrated into the evening’s religious observances. Some families also attend Midnight Mass (Pasterka), a late-night church service, before returning home for the Christmas meal.

Other Traditions Associated with Opłatek

While the main tradition is sharing the opłatek on Christmas Eve, there are a few other customs that revolve around this symbolic wafer:

• Sending Opłatki: It is common for Polish families to send opłatek wafers to relatives and friends who cannot be with them for Christmas. The wafer might come in a small envelope along with a greeting card or prayer, so that distant loved ones can participate in the tradition from afar.

• Special Opłatek for the Priest: In some families, an additional opłatek is reserved for the parish priest, and it is customary to invite the priest to share in the wafer before the meal begins. In rural areas, it was once common for families to wait for the priest to arrive to formally begin the Christmas Eve supper.

• Opłatek as a Symbol of Hospitality: The custom of offering opłatek extends beyond family. It is also common for neighbors and even strangers to exchange opłatki as a sign of good will during the holiday season.

• Opłatek for animals: While all of the wafers are made for human consumption, the pink wafer included is for the animals in the home.  After all, the animals near the manger were there at His birth.

Opłatek in Polish Communities Abroad

For Polish expatriates living outside of Poland, particularly in countries like the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia, the tradition of sharing opłatek continues to thrive. Polish communities abroad often gather for a special Wigilia dinner, and opłatek is a central part of these celebrations. 

Summary

Opłatek is not just a Christmas wafer; it is a symbol of family unity, reconciliation, and the spirit of Christmas. The tradition of sharing opłatek at the beginning of the Wigilia meal encapsulates the values of love, peace, and forgiveness that are central to the Christmas season. For many Poles, it’s a deeply emotional and spiritual ritual, one that connects them to their heritage and their faith, no matter where they are in the world.