Malta at Christmas Time

Being a devout catholic country, Christmas time is a very special time for us. It is the perfect time to be with family and friends. Most families in Malta enjoy decorating their houses with the typical Christmas tree, colourful baubles...and most especially the traditional Christmas Crib ("Ïl-Presepju"). Various amateurs create the cave of Betlehem themselves, some more elaborate than others, and complete it with little figurines ("pasturi") representing Holy Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the three kings, the angel, farmers and much more.

Another tradition is the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and the Christmas Sermon ("Il-Priedka tal-Milied"). On this night, a chosen young boy or girl, an altar boy/girl, recites the sermon, the story of Jesus instead of the priest. It is amazing how at such a young age, this child manages to memorise all the sermon and recite it with such passion.

Of course, there are traditions related to food:  from the roasted turkey to Christmas logs, roasted chestnuts to mince pies, it is the perfect contour to the festive spirit.

Below are a few pictures that I took of decorated streets in Valletta (our capital city) and Sliema, a town very well known with shoppers.

A Christmas tree made with baubles of Mdina Glass

Republic Steet, Valletta

Artisan Market in Sliema