President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca urged people to take notice of the suffering around them in a final Christmas message peppered with gratitude to the Maltese people.
Ms Coleiro Preca, whose term ends next year, thanked people for their openness and support, as well as for understanding her limitations as a President and a person.
"Thank you for opening up about the suffering you've felt," she said, "suffering that we may have caused ourselves by pretending we hadn't heard the woman next door screaming because her partner was beating her, or by not asking why that elderly lady hadn't appeared at her window for a week, or by pretending we're not aware that tonight many will be asleep on a pavement, in a car or garage. Or when we ignored the little girl who never made it here because she died at sea."
The President recalled the work done on mental illness, and pledged to continue working for better services in the community, which she said were still lacking.
She also called for a national campaign against violence against children, saying she had been saddened by how many children had mentioned this as a concern.
Among other social concerns, she called on people to make a pledge not to remain silent in the face of domestic violence, and to be less quick to judge those around them.
"Nobody chooses not to be able to buy a small gift for their children. Nobody chooses poverty. Maybe we do this to assuage our own consciences, but this year, let us stop judging or blaming the poor for being poor."
Ending with a traditional call for unity, she added: "Peace between us should not mean remaining silent in the face of injustice. Our wish at this time of year for peace in our lives is a wish for justice."
Delia: Christmas message is love, hope, courage
Opposition leader Adrian Delia said the Christmas message was one of love, hope and courage.
This message, he said, was particularly important for those who were sick or dealing with illness in their family, those needing constant help due to a disability, and those suffering from loneliness.
He thanked law enforcement, doctors, nurses, paramedics and volunteers who gave their time over Christmas to help others, and urged people to spend some time with anyone who may be alone over Christmas.