Krystyna Szostek Radkowa, Kazimierz Pustelak
W Dzien Bozego Narodszenia (On Christmas Day)

Label: Polskie Nagrania (1965)
Catalogue No: PNCD 327
Format: CD

Tracks:

1. When Chris is Born (Gdy sie Chrystus Rodzi)
2. Sleep Little Jesus (Lulajze Jezuniu)
3. The Shepherds Were Drowsy (Pasterze Drzmali)
4. The Star of Bethlehem (O Gwiazdo Betlejemska)
5. The Angel Talked to the Shepherds (Aniol pastrzom mowil)
6. Lying in the Crib (W zlobie lezy)
7. Christmas Day (W dzien Bozego Narodzenia)
8. In the Night Stillness (Wsrod Nocnej Ciszy)
9. Little Jesus (Jesus Malusienski)
10. What's up with that Little Child? (A coz z ta dziecina?)
11. That Midnight (Dnia jednego o polnocy)
12. Poor and Calm (Mizerna cicha)
13. They Hurried to Bethlehem (Przybiezali do Betlejem)
14. The Lilly Burst into Bloom (Rozkwitnela sie lilija)
15. God is Born (Bog sie rodzi)

Performed by:

Krystyna Szostek Radkowa - mezzosopran
Kazimierz Pustelak - tenor
Feliks Raczkowski - organ
Mixed Choir, directed by Jerzy Kolaczkowski - conductor

Recorded:

1967, Poland

Christmas Tradition in Poland

Wigilia is an old Polish tradition to celebrate Christmas Holiday. It is the 12-course meatless Polish feast that is held on Christmas Eve. The meal begins when the first star comes out. The table is laid with a hay in memory of the Godchild in the manger and a white table clothe. An extra place is set at the table for the unexpected guest or the Holy Spirit. A lighted candle in the windows symbolizes the hope that the Godchild, in the form of a stranger, may come to share the Wigilia. This belief stems from the ancient Polish adage, "A guest in the home is God in the home."  Wigilia starts with everyone in the family room when everyone exchanges Oplatek (special rice wafer blessed by the parish priest) with wishes, kisses, and blessings. Then follows the 12-course meal (one course for each Apostle) and after the meal the members of the family sing Polish Christmas Carols called the Koledy while the children wait impatiently around the Christmas tree or choinka for the gifts to be exchanged. At night everyone go to a midnight church service Pasterka (it is traditionally a midnight Mass for Catholics) to welcome in Christmas, and the birth of the Christ child.