Polish Christmas Traditions, The Christmas Crib (Szopka)

Christmas Nativity creches representing Mary, Joseph and others around the crib of baby Jesus at the Bethlehem stable have a long-standing tradition in Poland. During the Christmas season you will find one in every church and under most christmas trees in houses. Krakow boasts a unique tradition of creches shaped after the Krakow church of St. Mary. These creches are hand-crafted by artists and amateurs, and entered in an annual competition.

In Poland sacristans and schoolboys began going from door to door with a portable crib or manger scene (Szopka) and performing their crib plays. The custom was very popular in the 19th century Poland, both in town and village. This traveling mode of entertaining with caroling provided a somewhat lucrative way of making money and/or receiving something sweet to eat. In the 2Oth century the custom has been preserved only in the countryside.

Polish Traditions