Understanding the phenomenon of Christmas requires more than philosophy, or political analysis. It calls for faith in the supernatural.

In our day and age, Christmas has lost its meaning. To many, Christmas means party time, buying presents. A time to enjoy more liquor than normal, it is a time for families to get together for good meals. Christmas is good for business: some may even say that it helps the economy.

Christmas has been secularised and replaced by pure materialism. Many have forgotten that 2,000 years ago, in Bethlehem, the Son of God humbled himself and became human like us in a noisy, stinking, stable. On that night the angels, in song, promised peace to men of good will.

Why has Christmas suffered such a blow? Could it be the wars that have been going on all over the world? Could it be the corruption that is a worldwide phenomenon? Could it be that we have invented other idols better suited for us than the Creator? Could it be that, for many, life has become meaningless? Could it be that the Seducer has convinced mankind that he is the author of history and not his arch-enemy, God?

We have to admit that many so-called Christian countries have become Christophobic. Many nations with a Christian background describe their present societies and their cultures as 'post-Christian'. They consider contemporary Christian civilization as a threat to human rights and democracy.

Malta is no exception. Catholic Malta too is suffering from this moral crisis. Can any politician guarantee peace to the nation when they follow politics without God? Many politicians talk about peace and unity but only in secularistic terms of tolerance; unfortunately, as Cardinal Ratznger says, "secularism in it is preached by politicians today is often intolerant and anti Christian."

Let's put Christ back into Christmas, he alone is the author of peace, love and justice.