Religious celebrations like Christmas continue to hold deep significance to the Maltese, reflecting the islands’ long-rooted spiritual heritage.
Words by Inkontru.app
Parishes organise ceremonies and processions, rooted in age-old traditions and passed down through generations, showcasing how faith remains a living part of daily life. These sacred events evoke a sense of nostalgia, connecting communities to their rich history and cultural identity. Be sure to visit Inkontru.app for a comprehensive guide to upcoming religious celebrations and processions across the islands.
CHRISTMAS IN MALTA
With its rich Catholic heritage, Christmas in Malta is filled with cherished traditions and cultural touches, creating a unique holiday experience that is not to be missed.
During Advent, many locals take pride in crafting their own Christmas cribs, known as presepji. These folksy displays, often set up in homes and makeshift exhibition areas, feature lovingly handmade figurines of Joseph and Mary around the manger, attended by the Magi, shepherds, angels and farm animals. Many even add lights and water features. Head to parish centres and keep an eye out for welcoming signs inviting you to view these charming dioramas.
Another age-old Christmas custom is the procession of Il-Bambin (the Christ Child). A few days before Christmas, a chorus of carol-singing children parade through Valletta’s festooned thoroughfares to lay Baby Jesus down in a chosen church or nativity scene.
On Christmas Eve, families gather at parish churches to celebrate Midnight Mass. Churches are dressed up to the nines, featuring Paschal candles, nativity scenes, and festive touches like bright scarlet poinsettias and ġulbiena plants (vetches), which dangle from altars. A beloved tradition during the service is Il-Priedka tat-Tifel (the child’s sermon), where a young child recites a heartfelt sermon from memory, chronicling the story of Jesus's birth.
Once the priest offers his final festive blessing, the congregation spills out into the night. Many families then treat themselves to a traditional Christmas breakfast, heading to restaurants that stay open to serve this late-night feast. With hearts and tummies content, they finally return home to rest before a packed day of present-giving and feasting.
