Here it is, December already, as 2020 comes to a rallying finale. This year has brought me so much sadness, and so much joy at the same time. My beautiful grandson was born in November, and juxtaposed with that I learned of the passing of an old friend yesterday. That’s the kind of year it’s been, stark contrasts of highs and lows. I feel as if we’ve all learned so much this year and we are clinging to the hopes of a better 2021. Of course with December comes Christmas time and we could all use a little celebrating at the end of this year.

I was recently home visiting with Babcia and we talked about Christmas. I helped her put up her tree and a few decorations. We discussed gifts and what she’d like to give everyone, as I am helping her shop online since she isn’t able to leave the house right now because of the danger of Covid. Babcia has a white tree with bright, colorful lights. It reminds me of a snowy forest and it makes me happy to look at it. She’d always had a green tree, but last year she demanded a white tree and what Babcia wants, Babcia gets. It makes her happy, and so it makes all of us happy.

She began to tell me a little about her memories of Christmas traditions in Poland when she was a girl. She talked about how the priest would walk through the town to all the homes and bless each one personally. How comforting and exciting that must have been, to see him coming and to know your house was next. She said that it was indeed exciting and that it was a big deal to see him coming closer. She smiled at the memory. I can only imagine the sense of love and community as the priest passed through, blessing your home and your neighbor’s.

Babcia told me that the children would leave their shoes outside the door for St. Nicholas, a practice mostly followed in the northern half of Poland which is where she was. The children cleaned their shoes, and then left them outside. If they had been good, St. Nicholas would come and fill their shoes with treats such as candy and fruit. Growing up in America it is unfamiliar to me, and yet it seems so perfectly child-like and traditional.

Another tradition which I have seen celebrated by Babcia and her family here in the states is the sharing of the oplatek, or the wafers. The oplatek is shared between family and friends before a meal and is a symbol of forgiveness and love, and new beginnings. As the wafer is passed along between them, they forgive each other past failings and allow each other a fresh start. Nothing says love and Christmas more than that. This particular tradition is one of Babcia’s favorites I think, she always seems so happy to share the oplatek and to laugh and hug and enjoy the love in the room at that moment. It brings family and friends back together at the end of the year’s journey, and promises hope for the future.

Of course, we celebrated Christmas the usual way growing up. We had the tree, presents lying underneath. On Christmas Eve, Babcia always welcomed all those who traveled through into our home and gave them food and drink. Our home was a stopping point every Christmas Eve for those out running last minute errands, just popping in to say Merry Christmas, or bringing gifts. I remember it being warm and happy, with laughter and love bringing us all together. No matter what kind of year we’d had, Babcia was always happy at Christmas and shared whatever she had with anyone who came through her door. She embodied the Christmas spirit.

As we head into the Christmas season this year, things are a little different. There won’t be any surprise visits from friends, Covid has ensured that. There won’t be trips to the stores to shop with crowds and enjoy the holiday decorations. However our family is still intact, and the love and forgiveness will still be there, stronger than ever. It will likely be appreciated even more this year in light of the roller coaster we’ve been on in 2020. We will laugh and celebrate new life and new beginnings. We will have our own family traditions (Sophie gets all the advent quarters) and I’m sure new ones will be had with the arrival of little Brodee. Most of all, the same love and excitement will be there among us. We will give thanks and be joyous, and we will enjoy every moment we’ve been given together… no virus can stop that.