As another Christmas season draws to a near I reflect back on memories old and new. We all have traditions that we have carried over from generations past and as families grow and change, new traditions come into play.
When I was a child, Christmas Eve morning mom, my brother and I would go shopping to get the awesome deals at Shopko and Kmart. Those blue light specials were such fun and we would get some great stuff at ridiculous prices. We’d get a little snack at the deli that was in between Shopko and IGA and pick up anything that grandma said she need from the grocery store and head home to get ready for the evenings festivities.
Christmas Eve dinner was always at grandma and grandpa’s. Grandma never made the same thing from year to year. We always had turkey at Thanksgiving so that was never on the menu. There was always shrimp and sometimes lobster, goose made it one year and steak and rice a simple yet filling one pot meal was a particular favorite. She didn’t want to have to spend the entire evening in the kitchen while everyone else was visiting so she made it simple….simple is still the best.
We didn’t have a need for the big fancy meal; everyone brought something for the hors d’oeuvre table and believe me it was loaded with sausage, cheese, crackers of any variety, olives, pickles, shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, roll ups of a wide variety and of course the raw veggies with dips and cheese spread.
Being a Catholic family we always had OPLATEK- CHRISTMAS WAFER. The following is the history of this Christian tradition.
“ For centuries on Christmas Eve, families in Poland, Lithuania, the Czeck and Slav Republics have practiced a beautiful tradition. It is the breaking and sharing of the OPLATEK- CHRISTMAS WAFER. Oplatek taken from the Latin work oblatum, meaning Sacred Bread, has been the symbol of Christianity and Jesus Christ our bread of life.
On the Holiest Night of the year, a festive 12 course meatless dinner is prepared for the gathered family and friends. An extra setting is placed for a beggar ( our Lord ) who may come to the door, or a poor family ( the Holy Family ), looking for a place to stay. The host or hostess leads the group in special prayer and distributes and oplatek to the participants. Each person breaks off a piece of the other’s oplatek and continues until they exchanged good wishes and blessing with everyone.
Traditionally, at midnight the head of the household takes the pink oplatek and shares it with the animals on his farm or at his home. This custom brings us back to that Holy Night when even animals were able to speak to remind us that we are all Gods creatures “.
The sharing of the Oplatek has changed a bit as there is only one for the table to share, but the oldest of the family starts by breaking off their piece and passing it to the next oldest with a wish of good health and happiness and it goes on down the line. It’s a wonderful way to bring a sense of togetherness and celebration with family.
Then comes our second family tradition that hasn’t changed in decades, we always have Christmas Soup. It a basic, meatless chicken vegetable soup but it is a staple for Christmas Eve in our family. Grandma and grandpa are gone now and my mom and my Uncle have taken over the Christmas Eve dinner on alternating years and this soup is always on the table. Of course we make it through out the year as well, but tradition is tradition and it would not be Christmas without the Oplatek and Christmas Soup.
CHRISTMAS SOUP:
1 small onion diced finely
1 thin slice butter
Saute together
1 medium carrot, sliced and diced finely
3 ribs celery, diced finely
1 medium potatoe, diced finely ( this an addition I made )
After onion is light golden brown, add the vegetables and saute until a very light color begins to appear.
Add 4 cups chicken broth and cook until soup comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 2 hours.
20 minutes before serving add 1/2 cup rice.
Cook until rice is cooked, adding broth if needed as rice will absorb the liquid.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired at serving time.
So while you should keep traditions, there is nothing stopping you from creating new ones to pass down to your children and grandchildren. We all think back with fond memories of those precious moments together that should never be taken for granted and I for one am so very glad I have them to appreciate.
As for the soup……Go ahead….” Just Try It ”
