Christmas is an exciting time for children. Some of them, however, do not have families to celebrate with. Cynthia Busuttil looks at what Christmas means for children.

Although Christmas is usually associated with happiness, for some children this is a difficult time. Children who are separated from their families feel the pain of separation a lot more during this time of the year, said Pat Bonello, the leader of the Looked-After Children Service within Agenzija Appogg.

"Christmas can bring a lot of sorrow for children who are in residential homes. At this time they feel the separation more acutely than usual," she said. In an attempt to cheer them up, a number of activities are organised in children's homes.

This was echoed by Sister Elizabeth Azzopardi and Sister Rose Xuereb, the heads of St Rita's Home in Tarxien and Dar Sagra Familja in Zabbar, both residential homes for children.

"Everywhere is decorated and children enjoy listening to Christmas carols," Sister Rose said.

Moreover, there are "many generous people" who try to make Christmas time a happier period for children living in orphanages. "We get many invitations for the children to attend parties," Sister Elizabeth said.

Ms Bonello said that although such activities do not completely wipe away the children's unhappiness, they help to distract them.

Every attempt, however, is made to have the children spend Christmas and New Year with their own families, to the extent that the agency tries to arrange supervision of children who might be at risk with their families.

"If it is not possible for them to spend time with their parents, we try to arrange for them to go to another family member or to spend the festivities with another family whom they know well."

Although some families offer to take a child for the holidays, this is not recommended. Unless the child knows the family well, he or she may not feel comfortable spending time with them, Ms Bonello explained.

"Children love their families and they enjoy going home during this time of the year," Sister Elizabeth said. Even so, bonds established in the residential homes run deep: Sister Rose admitted that the nuns miss the children when they go to their families "and often they miss us too".

The true spirit of Christmas

Earlier this month, Pope Benedict warned that today's commercial "pollution" was threatening to alter the real spirit of Christmas.

The Pope said Christmas should be marked with sober celebrations and urged Christians to display a nativity crib in their houses as a way of showing their faith and conveying it to their children.

Locally, the Education Division attempts to keep the traditional spirit of Christmas alive among the children. The division's director of operations, Alfred Mallia, underlined the importance of parents and teachers working hand in hand to preserve the true value of Christmas among children. The two need to work together to promote children's intellectual and spiritual development, he said.

"Earlier this month I emphasised to teachers the importance of stressing certain traditional aspects of Christmas in the class, especially the meaning of Christ coming into the world and being kind to others."

For children, this time of the year should not just be a materialistic period, he said, adding that education was important to fight the wave of materialism threatening to take over.

As part of its ongoing attempts to instil in children the values of Christmas, every year the division organises a Christmas crib competition. Mr Mallia explained that the best cribs are then donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund, which auctions them to raise money.

"Every little counts, and this shows children that Christmas is not just about receiving presents. We need to break down the wave of egoism because, after all, Christmas is all about giving."

Jesus and Santa

The Times asked a number of children what Christmas means to them. Are they only dying to open their presents?

Keith Wells, five:

"It is the day that Jesus was born, and I also receive a lot of presents. I already have a gift under the Christmas tree, a Spiderman, which I love because he saves people. Last year I enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree, and I ate a turkey, which I liked."

Maria Agius, eight:

"Christmas means happiness and peace. It is the day when we celebrate Jesus' birth. I enjoy giving presents. Last Christmas I sang during Midnight Mass as part of the Christmas choir."

Christina Vella, six:

"Christmas means a lot of presents. I enjoy helping my mum set up the Christmas crib."

Francesca Vella, nine:

"We are celebrating the birth of Jesus. I enjoy going round to see exhibitions of cribs. We have gone to see some this year. I do not have a favourite, I like them all."

Martina Vella, seven:

"It is the day when we remember Jesus' birth. I enjoy going to Christmas parties at this time of the year. This year I have gone to two. One was organised by the school. I enjoyed myself at both parties."

Jasmin Tonna, five:

"The first thing that comes to mind is the Christmas tree. I enjoy helping to decorate it. We have already done it this year. It is also the day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came into this world to save us. I do not remember what I did in Christmas last year, but it is my birthday the next day."

Luana Marie Bonello, seven:

"Christmas means love. I love celebrating Christmas because we remember the day when Jesus was born for us. It means presents, cards and Christmas songs. I look forward to it."

Sebastian Attard, five:

"It means presents and the birth of Jesus."

Daniela Bonnici, six:

"Christmas is the birth of Jesus, and it is a day that I enjoy. Last year we went out. I went to the procession, and took part in a play during Christmas Mass. I was the star."

Matthew Saleeb, eight:

"We celebrate the day when Jesus was born. I like praying during Christmas time. Last year I went to Midnight Mass. I also enjoy opening Christmas presents."

Kurt Parsons, 11:

"Christmas means presents, but it is also the day when Jesus was born. We meet with the rest of the family and have a big meal. I also like sending Christmas cards."

Joseph Zammit, nine:

"We celebrate the birth of Jesus. I enjoy spending time playing, and obviously opening my presents. Last year I remember putting up the Christmas tree, and received many presents. This year I want to meet Father Christmas. Instead of receiving presents I would prefer to receive money so that I can buy what I want. I'd love to buy a telescope so that I can look at the stars. Or else a remote control plane."

How children celebrate around the world

Australia - Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors, and afterwards people go to the beach or watch a game of cricket.

Austria - St Nicholas visits on December 6 and rewards good children with sweets, apples and nuts. Presents and the Christmas tree are brought by the Christ Child on Christmas Eve. When they hear a bell tinkling, children enter the room where the tree is decorated with candles, ornaments and candies.

Belgium - Children believe that St Nicholas rides a horse and they leave hay, carrots and water for him outside the house on December 6.

Czech Republic - The infant Jesus helps St Nicholas give presents to children. Jesus rings a little bell to let children know he has arrived.

France - Young children leave their shoes by the fire on Christmas Eve for a gift from le Père Nöel. He is accompanied by Pre Fouettard, who keeps track of who was good and who was bad. The older children go to Midnight Mass with the adults and return home for a late supper. While children open their presents on Christmas, adults have to wait until New Year.

Germany - Children decorate their Christmas lists with pictures and then leave them on the windowsill, weighed down with some sugar.

Ireland - Children put out sacks instead of stockings. They also leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness as a snack for Father Christmas.

Italy - Children are visited by La Befana, a witch who flies around the country on a broom and leaves good treats for those who were good and coal for those who were naughty.

Mexico - Children leave their shoes out instead of stockings.

Poland - Streets are lined with stalls, each painted with scenes from the Christmas story and elaborately decorated with tinsel and candles.

Russia - Babouschka, who failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men, searches the countryside for Baby Jesus, and visits children to give them gifts. Grandfather Frost wears a blue outfit instead of the traditional Santa red.

Spain - Papa Noel climbs up balconies to deliver presents to children and on January 6 three wise men come to visit. One of them, Balthazar, brings children presents.

Sweden - A little brownie - Jultomten - helps Santa deliver presents for children who have been good. Churches are lit up entirely by candles for the Christmas service on Christmas morning.

United Kingdom - Children write letters to Santa and throw them into the fireplace, from which they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole.

Ukraine - Father Frost together with a little girl, Snowflake, visits all the children in a sleigh pulled by three reindeer. Snowflake wears a silver blue costume trimmed with white fur and a snowflake-shaped crown.