Sunday, December 21, 2014

Opłatek

Growing up in Poland, and to this day, my favorite part of Christmas time is Wigilia (pronounced vee-geel-eya). Wigilia is the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper in Poland. Each year at dusk, my brother and I would look through the kitchen window with great anticipation for the appearance of the first star. It is with the appearance of the first star that Wigilia begins. I remember our family, kneeling down around the kitchen table. It was covered with a crisp white tablecloth and a bundle of hay sat underneath it. There was always an additional place set for an unexpected guest who, especially that night, should never be turned away. My father would read the Nativity story from Luke’s gospel, and after prayer and reflection we would all share Opłatek (pronounced oh-pwah-tek).

Opłatek is a very thin, usually rectangular wafer. It is identical in composition to the communion wafer but embossed with Christmas-related religious images, such as the Nativity scene. It is a beautiful tradition where each family member holds a piece of opłatek in their hand, and in turn, allows one another to break off small pieces from it. When the wafer is broken off, a wish is exchanged. 

This simple, yet deeply meaningful act of sharing opłatek is filled with tender emotions, as wishes of good health, happiness, and fulfillment of dreams are voiced. There is so much hope as thoughts of innermost feelings for one another are expressed. As I reflect on this year’s theme of our devotional “All Earth is Hopeful,” I can’t stop thinking of the strong feeling of hope that is present during sharing of the opłatek. A hope and longing for things that once were or things that have not yet arrived in our lives. 

As the Christmas Eve nears, I want to share my opłatek with you: wishing you all the kind of hope that brings peace and joy to our lives despite any challenges and circumstances. It's a hope that’s not simply a wishful thinking, but hope that’s based on confidence that God is always with us. It's our highest hope for a bright future - forever.

Ewelina Bergert and her husband David reside in Bettendorf with their sons Jonathan and Jacob. She teaches business management and marketing at Black Hawk College.