Christmas wafer

Christmas Wafer (Oplatki in Polish) is a central European Christian Christmas tradition celebrated in Poland, Lithuania, and in some parts of Slovakia during Wigilia, the Christmas Eve Vigil.

Origin and History

The tradition of the Christmas Wafer goes back many centuries to early Christian communities. It is believed to have originated in Poland in the 10th century and spread to other Slavic countries. The wafer is made from pure wheat flour and water, similar to the bread used in the Christian liturgy of the Eucharist.

Significance

The Christmas Wafer symbolizes unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It is shared among family members and friends with wishes and blessings for the upcoming year. The breaking and sharing of the wafer is a reminder of the love and sacrifice of Christ, who in Christian belief, broke bread with his disciples at the Last Supper.

Tradition

The tradition begins with the eldest member of the family who breaks the wafer and shares it with the next oldest with wishes of good health and prosperity, and this continues down to the youngest member. In some families, a piece of the wafer is also shared with pets and farm animals, as they, too, are part of God's creation.

Variations

In different regions, the Christmas Wafer may be plain or embossed with religious images, such as the nativity scene. In some traditions, the wafer is dipped in honey or wine before it is eaten. In others, it is placed under the tablecloth or dinner plates to bring good luck and abundance.

See Also

• Wigilia
• Christmas traditions
• Christian liturgy
• Eucharist
• Last Supper