Christmas is the most joyful and family holiday. They are an excellent opportunity to meet with the closest people, give gifts, forgive each other any regrets and eat together or sing Christmas carols known from childhood. Christmas is usually associated with a green Christmas tree that came to Poland from Germany between the 18th and 19th centuries. In the Polish family tradition as well as in neighboring countries, the Christmas Eve supper, eaten with the closest people on the evening before Christmas, is very importance. Mass is celebrated at midnight when solemnly is announced the birth of Jesus Christ.
Everyone would like to spend Christmas in their own family. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Most of our students went to their homes to enjoy the Christmas. However, a dozen of them, for various reasons, stayed in Lublin. These people, together with the management of the house, did everything to make this special time in a family atmosphere. Together, they prepared Christmas Eve and the Christmas dinner. Friends of the house brought an excellent cake and other sweets. The Christmas Eve diner started at 20.00. First, the Gospel according to St. Luke, describing the birth of the Son of God. Then the house director blessed the wafers and made special wishes. In turn, there was time for personal wishes. After eating dinner, carols were singing in Polish and Ukrainian languages.
The next day, we met at a solemn Mass presided over by Fr. Józef Golonka, the superior of the religious community to which Fr. Jan and Fr. Robert belong. During the Holy Mass we prayed to Jesus for all the intentions that we carried in our hearts. We also remembered the Foundation’s authorities and all its benefactors, both living and dead. After the Eucharist, there was a lunch and we singed the Christmas carols. It seems that we have managed to create an atmosphere of family holidays and to experience the joy of our Savior’s coming into the world very spiritually and deeply.
Fr. Jan Strzałka
