Polish Traditions

Our Christmas meal — of ham, lots of sides, always including carrot souffle and the traditional sauerkraut and kielbasa — begins with the breaking of the Oplatki a semi-transparent wafer of unleavened dough, stamped with scenes of the nativity. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. In the past we've broken off pieces and offered a piece to each person at the table wishing them good luck, good fortune, and good health in the new year. But this year, with my grandmother not hearing well at all, we didn't do the passing. The tradition was still as powerful.