A typical presepio or Nativity depicting the scene of the birth of Jesus. |
We are not likely to have a white
Christmas in Malta. Weather conditions resemble those of Bethlehem, the
birthplace of Christ. The temperature during the Christmas season fluctuates
from a maximum of 66 degrees Fahrenheit to a minimum of 52 on very cold day. Christmas
is Christmas everywhere, but there are certain characteristics that make a Maltese
Christmas different from that of many other countries.
The streets of towns and villages
are decorated and lit with multicolored lights (festuni). Shop windows display
the usual Christmas decorations and a large variety of toys and presents to
lure Christmas shoppers who jam the streets. Christmas trees (is-sigra
tal-Milied) and the figure of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) are seen all over
the place. The main feature, which is a typically Maltese tradition, is the
number of cribs (presepji) that can be seen in public places and in private
homes, and of course in churches.
The first Maltese crib we know of
is that found at the Benedictine Nuns in Mdina and bears on its framework the
year 1826. The main characters in the crib are naturally Joseph and Mary with
baby Jesus together with the cow, the donkey and the sheep; some shepherds and
the three Kings who will arrive on the feast of the Epiphany. However many
people display just the baby Jesus sitting on a rock or sleeping. An incredible
display of baby Jesuses is found in an all-year round Museum in Birkirkara with
hundreds of images, some of which are a few hundred years old.
The Holy Family after Jesus' birth. |
Traditionally, the crib figurines
(pasturi) were made of clay. These fragile penny clay figurines were easily
acquired few years ago. Nowadays modern plastic figurines are more commonly
found in the Maltese family crib. Many crafty enthusiasts prepare quite an
elaborate display of the town of Bethlehem, and are usually on display
throughout the month of December in various homes, parish centers and other
places of interest.
A popular tradition is the
Christmas Novena, 9 days of preparation during which a sung Mass is celebrated
in churches, with the focus being on a different character from the Nativity
story each day, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, Shepherds, Kings, baby
Jesus, etc. Many children participate in this Novena, especially by singing
Christmas carols.
What a beautiful statue of nativity! Never seen one like it before. Looks so natural.
ReplyDelete