In Malta, Christmas is known as "Il-Milied" and celebrated on December 25. Here, the festival is traditionally centred on presepju or Nativity cribs. During Christmas time in Malta, cribs are built almost everywhere and by everyone.These are then decorated with figurines, called pasturi–representing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the shepherds, angels, villagers and animals such as cows, donkeys and sheep.
On December 24, Maltese churches are decorated with lights and nativity cribs built by churchgoers.The figure of the baby Jesus is placed on the main altar at the midnight hour of Christmas night, commemorating the birth of the Messiah.A Maltese group known as Friends of the Crib see to it that the crib tradition remains alive.
The tradition of displaying cribs first began in 1617, when the first true Maltese crib is believed to have been made and displayed in the Dominican Friars Church in Rabat.Since then, the custom has gained its ground and gone from strength to strength.In 1921, the renowned priest George Preca organised a Christmas Eve procession with a life-size figure of the infant Jesus being carried at the front.
The idea became very popular with people of all ages, and this was how the very special Maltese traditional Christmas procession started.The custom is hugely popular even today, and forms an integral part of the Christmas Eve celebrations. Every home in Malta has its own Christmas tree, decorated with light bulbs, tinsel and other items of embellishment.
The interior of every house is adorned with Christmas wreaths, candles and all sorts of other decorations. It is traditional to sow wheat, grain and canary seed, or gulbiena, on cotton buds in dark corners in the house. These are sown five weeks before Christmas and left undisturbed.
At around Christmas day, white grass-like shoots sprout from the seeds. These are then used to decorate the crib or the statue of baby Jesus.On Christmas Eve, a procession is held, followed by the midnight Mass service, which is attended by most of the Maltese population, who are Catholics.After Mass it is customary to greet "Il-Milied It-Taijeb" (Merry Christmas), to all those assembled. Christmas day in Malta is a time to celebrate with family.
All extended members of a family assemble in one house for lunch, and stay there till the evening. Christmas lunch in Malta traditionally consists of "dundjan" (turkey), "qaghaq tal-ghasel" (honey rings) and "pudina tal-Milied" (Christmas pudding). Christmas dishes in Malta are heavily influenced by British traditions.