Pull out the Oplatky...

So there is a sweet Christmas tradition that my family keeps. Its called Velija or otherwise know as Stedry Vecer. Its a Slovakian meal that has been passed down the generations of Kaledas as well as other Slovak families. Now as an adult it really means so much more to me thinking of all the Christmas' that were spent with my grandparents at 537 Laurel street. Each bite was celestial and you could taste all the love that my grandmother had put into each dish. I love this meal for many reasons but the most important reason is that it is such a vivid reminder of what Christmas is really about...Jesus! His birth and His death, from the cradle to the cross. Each course in the meal is to be a reminder to us of this great truth. So needless to say, Paul and I had our very first Velija! And the Waldrops were our honored guests.


I will now explain the ins and out of theVelija dinner. First the table is set with straw and a white tablecloth, which has two meanings, 1) the straw represents the manger in which Jesus was born and 2) the white tablecloth represents His swaddling and tomb clothes. Traditionally the meal cannot start before the first star appears...once it does, the guests wash their hands in a basin with some silver coins, to signify a prosperous new year. The youngest in attendance receives all the coins. hehe

Once everyone has taken their seats the mother and father (Paul and I...lol) bring in two candles and the oplatky (which is basically a special communion wafer with the Christmas story imprinted on it...of course ours were already in pieces from the trip over!) Prayers are then offered and we take communion together. Then the mother (aka me) takes a bowl of honey and puts the sign of the cross on each persons forehead and gives them a blessing. This is also to remind us to keep Christ in the forefront of our thoughts. 


This is were the food comes in...there are traditional foods which are all hand made and have symbolic meanings. Here how it goes,


Machanka: A bitter mushroom/ sauerkraut soup. This is to remind us of the bitterness of sin. How our life was like without Christ.
Bolbiky:  Sweet bread balls rolled in poppy seeds and honey….represents the sweetness of life and salvation when Jesus, born in a manger, came to redeem man.
Fish:  A symbol of Christian faith in Jesus and His birth, death and resurrection. And also that Jesus said we are to be "fishers of men".
Pierogi:  Noodles stuffed with potatoes, onions and sauerkraut. A symbol of the work of our hands and God’s provision.
Peas:  Symbol for fertility.
Rice:  Symbol for the harvest of the land.
Bread:  Symbol of the sustenance of life provided both physically and spiritually as Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Halusky:  Noodles in sauteed cabbage. A symbol of the staples in life that God provides.
Nutroll or Kolaci: A strudel like thing filled with walnuts and poppy seeds on top. A very special treat reserved for Velija and Easter family gatherings.


In all the courses, recognition is given to God our Heavenly and Faithful Father , Jesus Our Redeemer and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) who gives us strength and guidance for a fulfilled life of faith.

 So thats Velija...took all day to make and only an hour to enjoy. I'm carrying on the traditions like a good lil' Slovak girl. Not gonna lie though...I was digging deep down to my Slovak roots to get all those pierogis made. lol

After the meal, we all exchanged gifts. The Waldrops are the best...they gave the coolest clock for our kitchen (which by the way we were in need of) and they also bought us the piece to our little laptop that we needed so that we can actually use it again! Thanks guys! 

We truly have so much to be thankful for this Christmas, God has been so good to us. None of this would ever be if it hadn't been for Jesus, His birth, death and resurrection. And the new abundant lives He has given us through the sweet salvation we have in Him. Thank You Jesus for Your love, for Your blood that was shed for us. Thank You that You are our King, our Priest and our Saviour! We want to make much of You...may we be Your witnesses in the nations! You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory! 





Vesele Vianoce a Stastlivy Novy Rok
 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. (in Slovakian)