What is it impossible to imagine celebrating Christmas in a Polish family without?
Cooking twelve dishes according to the number of Apostles, going to church for the festive mass, dinner with the family… And of course, wafers.
These are thin sheets of unleavened dough with deep religious meaning. Catholics in Poland share these baked goods with their family and friends at Christmas. The wafer is a prototype of the Holy Gifts and the body of Christ.
This tradition is several centuries old.
"Christmas cards" made from flour and water begin to be baked long before the holiday.
First, the dough is poured into a mold, then another one is pressed on top. This is how the imprint of biblical scenes appears on the dough. They wait a few seconds and take out the wafer. It is important not to miss the moment so as not to break the fragile bread. Then it is moistened and cut into several pieces. This is how the Polish "Christmas card" from dough is made.
The Poles claim that it does not matter where the wafer comes from: a church or a supermarket, and whether it is consecrated or not.
The main thing is the sincere wishes that a person adds to the wafer. Usually they wish for health, happiness and family well-being.
