The Empty Chair

On Christmas Eve, my mother’s family celebrated Wigilia (pronounced viˈɡilʲa), a “vigil” of the coming of Jesus. We’d set an empty place at the table for the stranger who might arrive and offer that person our full hospitality.

It’s not clear where this came from, be it from the earlier pagan superstition/tradition of ‘Obiat’ to sweep an empty chair clean from the soul that might have been sitting on it, or to strengthen the belief that those who had been deported during the 1863 Polish uprising would return. Of course, Mary and Joseph might just show up on the doorstep seeking shelter as well.

However, it’s always been a charming part of my holiday celebrations. Even during this time of pandemic and the necessity to stay at home, I’m going to set an extra place.

Do you have any superstitions, either related to a holiday or not?