Christmas is definitively a major event celebrated by countless millions the world over. The Christmas holiday is not only a time to reflect on the spiritual aspect but also a time to enjoy family and friends in an atypical setting so unlike the rest of the year. Each country, indeed in some cases each region, celebrates Christmas in its own particular way.

In an increasingly secularised and commercialised world, where products are mass marketed and displays of religious sentiment have gone to neurotic extremes of political correctness, these distinctive customs have become increasingly important for Christmas to retain some if not all of the traditional flavour of our forefathers.

Traditions and customs handed down from one generation to another give each of these Christmas celebrations its own distinct cultural, religious and culinary flavour. By and large, the celebrations of Christmas around the world are intrinsically similar, yet, it is those subtle nuances that make each country’s Christmas somewhat different from the rest. Indeed, even Malta with its diminutive size, has its own set of traditions and customs that distinguishes its style of celebrating this special time of the year.

Cynics would quickly point out that the “Maltese” Christmas is just a hotchpotch of imported customs that reflect themselves in how we prepare, decorate and even cook for Christmas. Indeed, Malta has embraced a number of “imported” customs and this is inevitable for a country which has for centuries been dominated by the presence of foreign rulers. This, coupled with an increasingly globalised world, has led to the dominance of the turkey for Christmas, the ubiquitously Italian panettone, the Christmas tree and the traditional English Christmas pudding. Well, I suppose there is no harm in all of this!

The next pertinent question to ask would be: Have our traditional Christmas customs been left by the wayside destined to be forgotten or to remain a mere record in history books? Weighing the anecdotal evidence I would say no.

So what constitutes a traditional Maltese Christmas?

Interestingly enough there are quite a few particular customs and traditions that would make for a Maltese Christmas. First of all, Christmas still retains a strong religious element for the Maltese. It is evident that presence and participation in churches increases at Christmastime, especially on Christmas Day. Churches are normally packed for services with the midnight Mass still retaining its popularity. Our churches are always richly decorated for this important event in the Christian calendar.

A number of Maltese customs have evolved around this religious theme, many of which remain strong to this day. One such tradition would be the child’s sermon. A boy or girl normally aged around 10 or younger takes the spotlight during midnight Mass replacing the celebrating priest in delivering the sermon. It is a particularly special performance and a highly prized event for every child who is chosen. This tradition is believed to have started in 1883 in the village of Luqa where a boy called George Sapiano was the first altar boy to deliver the sermon.

Preceding the midnight Mass is the children’s procession by the Christian doctrine society. Present in almost every town and village, this religious society holds a procession where children and adults take part. A statue of baby Jesus is carried shoulder high and children carry lights and lamps along the way.

This custom goes way back to 1921 when Dun (St) Ġorġ Preca organised the first procession in Ħamrun. During the procession carols such as Ninni La Tibkix Iżjed (sleep and cry no more) are sung. Incidentally, this song was written by a priest, Fr Andrew Schembri, in the early 19th century.

The same society and other youth groups get together to hold mini pageants with children and adults recreating the Nativity scene in churches and halls around the island.

Another Maltese tradition is the nativity crib although, of course, this is not a purely Maltese tradition. Yet, along the years, the Maltese crib has developed its unique distinctive style.

The first recorded crib was found in Rabat, housed by the Dominican Friars in 1607. The papier machè or rustic stone constructions are today found in almost every home. These cribs are decorated with clay figures representing the holy family, the kings, the shepherds, the baker, the climber, the bag pipe player, the Maltese folk singers, the friction drum player and, obviously, the simple man full of wonder. The cribs are embellished with all sorts of decorations notwithstanding the unmistakable growth of vetch, grain and canary seed grown in flat pans some five weeks before Christmas.

Unfortunately, our traditional Christmas culinary customs seem to have been, by and large, abandoned. The traditional fare of the past was the fattened rooster accompanied by potatoes and vegetables roasted more often at the local baker. So have the traditional deserts such as the honey ring (no longer seasonal but found all year round) and the chestnut and cocoa soup. Unfortunately, today’s favourite has become the turkey and the deserts have given way to Christmas puddings, mince pies and panettone. Sadly, this trend is now somewhat irreversible.

Of course, together with culture and tradition, families also have their very own Christmas trademarks which go a long way in the making of a child’s magical Christmas. I’m sure many readers have fond memories of Christmas past which are intrinsically linked with nostalgic thoughts of family, security and love.

May this magical spirit of Christmas descend upon you and all your families this Christmas. A blessed Christmas to all!

info@carolinegalea.com

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