Nativity Plays - Jaselka
With St. Stephen's Day begins the period of Jaselka which lasts until January 6th.  Jaselka is an amateur dramatic presentation which enacts the events connected with the birth of Christ.  Besides the traditional characters, the "Jew", with his "peculiar Polish" and pranks, dominates the scene.  The Jaselka took place in the Church from the 13th Century on, but were removed in the 18th century because slowly they lost their original super-religious spirit, and were henceforth presented in the schools, recreation centers, and even out-of-doors.  The Jaselka are also called "Herody" or "Maryjki."  A whole library of Jaselka could be assemble, for some of the greatest Polish poets and prose writers lent their talents to their creations.