The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD MAKE 12 DIFFERENT FAST DISHES
(FISH, ETC.), REPRESENTING THE 12 APOSTLES. THE FAMILY COULD NOT
EAT UNTIL THE FIRST STAR SHONE.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM WAS PRACTICED TO SYMBOLIZE THE HOLINESS OF CHRISTMAS.
THE DISHES SERVED WERE ONES THAT WERE NOT PREPARED DURING THE YEAR.
AN APPRECIATION OF LIFE'S LITTLE PLEASURES WAS LEARNED, SINCE AT THE
TIME THIS WAS PRACTICED, THE FAMILY, AS WELL AS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,
WERE POOR. THIS TRADITION HAS NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT FAITHFULLY AS
WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ALIVE. SINCE THAT TIME THE FAMILY HAS
GROWN MUCH LARGER AND HAVE MOVED TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE U.S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR

Date learned: 00-00-1969