December 2021
“Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows"
Edwin Osgood Grover
These past two years have changed everything. From the deadly Covid-19 pandemic to protests against systemic racism and police brutality, from changing global leadership to the effects of climate change.
The coronavirus dominated global news.
Joe Biden won the presidential election, and Kamala Harris became the first Black person and the first South Asian American person to be elected Vice President.
Against all odds, here we are in the month of December with all the festive holidays, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas.
This is the time of the year when we look back and recollect moments that made this passing year beautiful and amazing.
The end of the year can feel like it’s flying by, packed to the brim with holidays, family gatherings, and travel. Amidst the chaos, take a step back to reflect. The year’s end means the beginning of a new one with new possibilities.
Holiday Season brings joy and happiness to the hearts of all people.
When planning your gift-giving this Holiday season, keep Polish American Congress Charitable Foundation in mind.
Christmas Eve Supper, known as Wigilia, is one of the most longstanding and widely cherished Polish rituals.
In most homes, both among believers and non-believers, a formal meal is celebrated and served on the table which is covered with a white tablecloth. Hay is traditionally placed under the cloth covering the table and an extra empty place is set for an unexpected visitor.
Polish people say that no one should be alone or hungry on that special day, therefore, if someone unexpectedly knocks at the door – they are welcomed. While this rarely happens nowadays, the tradition requires greeting strangers and treating them like a family – and that is what Polish people do!
Custom dictates that there should be twelve dishes, just like the Twelve Apostles, and that the celebration should start when the first star appears.
The most eagerly anticipated part of Christmas Eve, both for children and adults, is quite naturally the exchange of presents. There are many customs and institutions related to the entire Christmas period. They include caroling or carol singing, as well as the singing of melodious seasonal songs called pastorałki.
Traditional Nativity plays are held, and the art of building Christmas cribs continues to this day, especially in the South of Poland – the Krakow cribs are particularly famous. Maybe only the custom of Christmas fortune-telling, which in the past was considered as determining the course of events for the entire coming year, has not survived.
Source -Poland.travel.pl - Wikipedia
"May all that is beautiful, meaningful, and brings you joy be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year!"
We wish you nothing but splendor.