Bill, CHRISTMAS WAFER (opłatek) is a white unleavened wafer imprinted with nativity motifs and sometimes referred to as “angel bread” (“chleb anielski”). It is the single most important artifact of Polish-style Christmas, without which the celebration would be unthinkable. Traditionally bits of the wafer are shared amid an exchange of best wishes with all present as a sign of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. It is usually send to those who can not attend the meal. Most to those of us in the US with family in Poland. It is like celebrating the meal with you family in Poland. Usually starts with the oldest person breaking the oplatek first to the person next to him/her. The empty seat if for unexpected guests. Jim On Dec 9, 2008, at 4:06 PM, Bill wrote: > Could someone explain the procedure and significance of the wafer that > is divided at supper on Christmas Eve? Also I understand there is an > empty place setting or something like that. > > My Polish is very poor so I did not fully understand the letter the > wafer arrived in. > > Thanks, > Bill > ********************************* > Need to contact the list manager? Write to Marie at Poland-Roots-admin@rootsweb.com > ---------------------------------- > Discussion of Polish food, culture, and customs are welcome on the > list as long as the discussion stays pertinent to the topic of this > list: researching our Polish roots. > ---------------------------------- > Browse the list's archives here: > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index?list=poland-roots > Search the list's archives here: > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/search?aop=1 > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to POLAND-ROOTS-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message jimpres1@mac.com