Ninni la Tibkix Izjed: Maltese Christmas Carol



http://youtu.be/78yGrQgC2ho

How to Celebrate a Maltese Christmas

Christmas in the Mediterranean country of Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a lot like Christmas in the United States. In modern times, the country has adopted many practices popular in the west, like hanging stockings, wrapping gifts and putting them under a Christmas tree, and singing carols.But many old traditions have remained steadfast as well. Here’s a crash course in celebrating a Maltese Christmas, whether you plan on visiting the beautiful country during the holidays or just adding some culture-rich flair to your own celebration.                                

 

 

1. How to Celebrate a Maltese Christmas

   • 1
     Attend mass--Christmas Eve’s midnight mass is the most important of the holiday’s traditions in Malta. Because the country is widely Catholic, churches are heavily populated for this ceremony.
   • 2
     Listen to a child's sermon--During the midnight mass ceremony, a boy or a girl, normally aged 7 to 10 years old, does the preaching instead of the priest. This is called 'Priedka tat-Tifel' which means the preaching of the child.
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   • 3
     Build a nativity scene--In Malta nativity scenes are called cribs, or pasture. Scenes are displayed in churches and most homes, complete with figurines representing Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The nativity scene is also popular in the United States, but in Malta, it is a staple of the celebration.
   • 4
     Plant some grain--In Malta, it is also tradition to sow wheat, grain and canary seed, called 'gulbiena', on cotton buds in flat pans five weeks before Christmas. The buds are left in dark corners in the house until the seeds produce white grass-like shoots. The pans with the fully-grown shoots are then used to decorate the crib or the statue of Baby Jesus.
   • 5
     Cook a big dinner--Today, the traditional Maltese Christmas menu has changed a bit, giving way to the Christmas Turkey and sides just as is popular in the United States. Mince pies are also a hit for the holidays in Malta.
   • 6
     Watch a parade--The Procession of the Baby Jesus, a parade of sorts in which a priest carries a doll symbolizing Jesus is a big part of the Maltese Christmas tradition. It has been held each year since its inception by the venerable Dun Gorg Preca, the recently beatified founder of the society for the teaching of Holy Doctrine, the M.U.S.E.U.M.
   • 7
     Decorate the tree--In modern times, the Maltese, put up Christmas trees in their homes, hang and stuff stockings and unwrap gifts with their loved ones on Christmas Eve. The children also anxiously await a visit from Santa Clause as is celebrated in the United States.

   How To Celebrate an Old-Fashioned Maltese Christmas

   • 8
     Bake a rooster with veggies--Though the times have changed the Maltese Christmas menu, traditionally, the Maltese house-wife kept the fattest rooster, or 'hasi', especially for Christmas lunch, which was roasted at the local bakery in a casserole with potatoes and vegetables. The traditional desert served at Christmas was the Treacle Ring, 'Qaghqa tal-Ghasel', and to top off the meal, a hot chestnut and cocoa soup, 'Imbuljuta tal-Qastan', which is still served as a night cap during the cold December days in Malta.
   • 9
     Go on a fast--Christmas in Malta used to be celebrated with a four-week fast leading up to Christmas Eve and culminating in the Midnight Mass. After mass, people would feast on traditional sweets like honey-filled rings, figs, chestnut syrup and deep-fried date-rolls, known as mqaret.
   • 10
     Hand out cash--Santa Clause was not part of the traditional Maltese Christmas. In the past, presents were given in the form of money on New Year’s Day, called l-Istrina.