It's a long tradition shared by native Poles in Poland but also by people of Polish ancestry all over the world to have OPLATEK on the Christmas Eve table.
A semi-transparent thin wafer (Oplatek), has been specially made of flour and water and blessed by the priest and it has some sacred sign stamped upon it - IHS or a pictured scenes of the Nativity.
It is a custom that at the begining of the Christmas Eve Supper the father breaks the wafer with the mother, and then with everyone present.
Family members and friends break off a small piece of the wafer and give it to one another along with a blessing and wishing a Happy Christmas.
Breaking off and exchanging part of oplatek with someone is a symbol of forgiveness between people and of their unity with Christ.
It is also to remind of the importance of Christmas, God, and family.


For December challenge http://forum.pbase.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44821&sid