There
are two reasons to visit the Islands at Christmas.
December is a great time for winter sun. The weather
is often dry and mild compared to northern climates
and it is a superb month to tour the Islands,
especially since towns and villages are decked
out in their Christmas finery.
The other reason is that Christmas
is very much a religious festivity in this Catholic
country. Here, the season is celebrated to the
full. You’ll find nativity scenes, displays
of cribs, carol services and other events organised
in each locality. For a very special, spiritual
evening, join the congregation at St John’s
Co-Cathedral in Valletta for a candlelit carol
service.
Baroque parish churches across
the Islands are just as awe-inspiring during advent.
Their interiors are decked out in papal crimson
and altars are adorned with flowers. All churches
have a calendar of events ranging from the procession
of Mary and Joseph figures on a donkey, to streets
with groups of children carol singing.
Cribs are everywhere, from private
houses to small wayside chapels. Visiting public
cribs is the thing to do at Christmas and many
Islanders spend time going round the ‘presepju’.
So look out for the signs and investigate for
yourself. Some are very elaborate, obviously the
work of dedicated craftsmen.
There is plenty to do around
Christmas time in Malta, but probably the most
popular outing, for children and adults alike,
is the annual pantomime held at the Manoel Theatre,
Valletta. It is a happy mix of slap-stick good
humour for children and satire for adults. Restaurants,
hotels, bars and clubs all have their own festivities
and entertainment too.
The most popular Christmas carol,
which has been translated into every language
on earth, is Silent Night'. Here is the Maltese
version:
"O Lejl ta, Skiet - lejl
tal-Milied
Lejl ghaziz - lejl qaddis
Dawwlet is-sema il-kewkba li ddit
Habbret li l-fidwa tal-bniedem inbdiet;
Kristu huwa mhabba bla qies!
Kristu huwa mhabba bla qies!"
Looking forward to see you in
Malta this Christmas! Best Wishes from all at
Sun Dreams Travel.
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