Christmas Eve, with a white wafer in hand, makes us realize that every home, every family becomes “Bethlehem” – “House of bread”, where Jesus Christ is born. Sharing the wafer is a sign of brotherhood, reconciliation, forgiveness, unity of all Christ’s followers and a great opportunity to make Christmas and New Year’s wishes.
The most beautiful Christmas and Christmas gatherings are those experienced in their homeland, between the loved ones. Unfortunately, not everyone can experience this wonderful atmosphere of a family home at this special time. Some of the Foundation’s scholarship holders who for various reasons had to remain in Lublin. These persons had the opportunity to participate in the Christmas Eve gathering and festive services at the chapel, beautifully decorated by our graduate Elena Grigorieva.
Dishes for the Christmas Eve table were prepared by the scholarship holders themselves. Ukrainian borscht, carp, fish in jelly, szuba (herring under a blanket), salads, dried compote and cake appeared on the table. After reading a fragment from the Gospel according to St. Luke, telling about the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, the director of the house blessed the wafers, which we then shared, wishing ourselves all good for Christmas and New Year. Carol songs followed the meal and were continued until Midnight Mass.
Ks. Jan Strzałka
