Evening star., 1917-12-23
Odd christmas Customs of Poland Before the War

brought little parcels of waters blessed
by priest. The waters are decorated
with figures SymholiZing some phase OF
the Latin faith, and are utilized in the
festivities in these more remote sections
much as in the urban centers. Though
have never been in the mountainous dis
tricts of my country on Christmas eve.
1t is said to be the custom to put sort
of padding of hay or straw On the table
before the cloth is laid for the Christmas
eve feast. long time ago, hay or straw
was also spread on the floor to signify
the lowly birth of the Savior
Now. no hay or straw can be spared
for ceremonies. Cattle and horses that
were once the pride of the Polish
farmer have been confscated by the
tyrannicai German-that is, of course.
in the part of the country still held by
the invaders. If the people of the, rural
Districts can have any sort of food in
abundance for Christmas eve feast
this year they will be surprised. Last
year 1t was bad enough. Every house
that could in any way shelter refugees
from the devastated part of Poland
did 50, and even the wealthy amons,
my countrymen had few frills with
their feast.
After the Christmas eve dinner,
ordinarily. children are allowed to go
to see, for the first time. the Christmas
tree tsecretiy prepared for them in a
locked roorl). and receive their pres
epts. After this, dried sweets, nuts,
spices and sultanas are passed around.
big supply being on hand. generally
lasting throughout the holidays Chill
dren then sing carols and the elders
join in the singing. These carols are
of very ancient origin, and are an i'm
portant part of the Polish folklore.
having little or no bearing on the
date back to the pagan times. and have
even pagan name, kolendy taken
from the ancient goddess Nolada
I'm the country districts peasant
children go around to various house
holds. dressed up as the devil Herod
and death. carrying a lantern, shaped
like a star, thus comm emorating the
story of the star Of Bethlehem. They
act little imaginary play based on
biblical events and have q very good
time in general. This custom is of a
later origin and is trace of the
medieval mysteries which played so
important a part in the early dev>lop-
ment of European dramatic art. These
little actors also sing carols and are
treated to sweets. dainties and some
times receive n small coin in eucour-
agement.
Since the war many of these customs
have been temporarily stopped, at least in
the raYaged parts Of Poland. There is no
one to rejoice and means for a Christ
mas feast. In those centers which were
still unoccupied by the Germans last
Christmas, and where military operations
had ceased or not yet begun. there were.
of course. a number of refugees who had
to be taken care of by local inhabitants.
The main effort Of everybody was to
lessen their grief. and every household
did what it could for them. providing
tney,l. above ALL with the most necessary
things. such as clothing and money.
Almost every house, as have said be-
fore. sheltered some of these wretched
unforsunates. and, of course. they, too,
partook of the Christmas festivities in the
household special care being taken of the
children. each of whom received his share
of toys sweets and joy around the Christ
mas tree. 1t was pathetic sight hope
never again to witness, to see these chill
dren in the warm surroundings of~some
more fortunate home, amid the joys Of
the Christmas ceremonies which they did
not expect to share. Their tragic fate was
forgotten for the day. at least. and the
pathos lay in the fact that sorrow and
maybe hunger would be their lot before
another Christmas celebration had passed.
II was less easy to cheer their elders, to
7 whom the resliNation Of their distressed
condition becan. only the more acute be-