Christmas Countdown: Dec 18 - Family Heritage Traditions

A few years ago I decided I wanted to incorporate some of the rich Christmas traditions from my heritage into our families Christmas traditions. I did some research, talked to my mom and grandparents, and added a few traditions to our Christmastime festivities.

THE OPLATEK WAFER -
This is a Polish tradition that my mom used to do in her family and when I found out about it I thought it would be fun to bring it back to life.

The Polish family breaks the Oplatek (Wafer) (Oh-pwah-tek) on Christmas Eve (Wigilia) as their ancestors before them have done. The sacred white wafers, much like those used for Holy Communion, are shared with each person present. During the exchange, good wishes are expressed. This is the most emotional time of the holiday for the Polish family. Before the Oplatek is passed, the head of the household traditionally extends Christmas wishes and remembers those who are not able to be present. A mention may be made of family members who have departed during the year. Remembering those with whom the vigil supper was celebrated in the past also summons them to share the festival. It is customary for the eldest person to initiate the sharing of the wafer. All share the holy wafer exchanging greetings and joyful wishes for the coming year. Weso³ych Swiat! Merry Christmas! They also have a pink wafer that is shared with the animals who, according to Polish tradition, because they were first to greet the Baby Jesus speak at midnight (isn't that neat too!). This is the most sacred night in the Polish-Polonian Home.

Here is what my mom said about the tradition:

We did this most Christmases when I was a child in Wisconsin. I went to the Catholic school and we could order the wafers from the nuns who sent away for them. We did this usually, I think, on Xmas Eve. Before our meal...(and sometimes it was Christmas Day Dinner), my dad would take a fresh piece of this wafer from the package and break a peace off and say something nice and then pass it to another person, who would break off a piece for himself, and pass it along and so forth until everyone at the table had a piece.

FOODS:
To integrate our other cultures into our Christmas I found a few popular recipes from our heritage to make for Christmas Eve dinner. One that is really easy and represents my Armenian heritage is:

Anoushabour (Christmas Pudding)

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients:

           1    cup  Pearl barley Cold water

          1     sm  Piece cinnamon bark

          1    cup  Granulated sugar

-----------------  FOR SERVING  ----------------

                    Ground cinnamon

                    Blanched almonds

                    Blanched hazelnuts

                    Chopped walnuts

                    Sultanas (white raisins)

                    Rose water (optional)

Cooking Time: 2-1/2 hours

Wash barley well, place in a bowl and cover with 4 cups cold water. Soak overnight.

Next day put barley, soaking water and cinnamon bark into a heavy pan and bring to the boil. Boil gently, uncovered, until barley is very soft and porridge-like in consistency - about 2 hours. Remove cinnamon bark.

Stir in sugar and cook for further 10 minutes. Turn into individual bowls and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Decorate with nuts and sultanas.

Serve warm or chilled with additional nuts and sultanas, and rose water for adding to individual taste if desired.