Christmas in my childhood church

St Julian's old church decorated for Christmas 2016

Today I invite you to visit the church where my parents were married, where all of us 5 children were baptized, where I served thousands of Mass and where I celebrated hundreds of Masses, known as the St Julian’s old church, referred to as Lapsi (Ascension) church – as it is decorated  for this Christmas. You can see the contrast between the present photo and the black and white photo taken in 1965 during the feast of Corpus Christi with the large canopy above the main altar, which was brought back to life to enhance the decorations done by a group of enthusiasts, led by Chris Micallef and Niki Papagiorcopulo. An updated photo will appear next week, when baby Jesus will be in place. 

The same church decorated in 1965 for Corpus Christi

The 50-year old Nativity made from Styrofoam, known as jablo in Malta is still a popular attraction. The statues of the Holy Family and other miniature presepios adorn the side-altars, while angels hover above everyone in the front, in the back and by the main altar. Please do click on each photo to enlarge and see a better resolution.

50 year old Nativity made from Styrofoam or jablo, still in good shape.

The Holy Family on one of the side altars of the old Lapsi Church.