Gwardamanġa
Leave your feedback
LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Video ID: 1064

Submitting Feedback

A Maltese Christmas Tradition on Christmas Eve

Description

The procession of Baby Jesus is commonly held on Christmas Eve in the quiet streets of Malta and Gozo. In towns and villages that have a Soċjetà tal-MUSEUM, this procession is also held in association with the organisation.

Also known as the demonstration of Baby Jesus, this procession was highly regarded by San Ġorġ Preca (1880-1962). In fact, it was he who started this tradition in December of 1921. Christmas held a special place in San Ġorġ Preca’s heart. However, he had no intention of instituting a procession of this large of a scale. His only intention was to instil the Christian spirit by commemorating the birth of Baby Jesus. However, the procession became so popular that it is still being held to this day.

The statue of baby Jesus in his manger, presented on a white linen cloth, is carried by young children and teens along the dimly lit streets of towns and villages while singing Christmas hymns, generally in Maltese. A popular Maltese Christmas carol is Ninni la Tibkix Iżjed. Some come along carrying lanterns used by altar boys while others carry olive branches during the procession.

Typically, after the procession, which usually makes its stop at the town/village square, the Christmas program goes on with the singing of more Christmas carols and hymns, the Boy’s Sermon (il-Priedka tat-Tifel), more poems and Christmas dialogues and/or re-enactments.

It is also a common tradition to hold a raffle at this event, with the prize being a Christmas traditional crib, while a honey ring (qagħqa tal-għasel) is given to all attendees on their way out, at the end of the evening.

More places from Gwardamanġa

A Maltese Christmas Tradition on Christmas Eve
Gwardamanġa
The procession of Baby Jesus is commonly held on Christmas Eve in the quiet stre...
Remembering the Charlie Chaplin of Malta
Gwardamanġa George Farrugia
This is an excerpt from a comedy series featuring George Farrugia, known as Char...
Celebrating almost 60 years of television in Malta
Gwardamanġa broadcasting in malta
Television in Malta was first introduced in 1957 but the only programmes that co...
Three Maltese acting legends perform together
Gwardamanġa charles thake maltese television
This hilarious footage from the PBS archives shows three of Malta’s best-k...
When Malta went quiet for the nation’s first TV broadcast
Gwardamanġa Charles Arrigo maltese television
At St Luke’s Hospital, patients and nurses watched together, while in Gozo...

Places Nearby

The Valletta square that witnessed our history
Valletta, Malta St George's Square
St George’s Square has been described as ‘the heart’ of Malta̵...
Going down? The story of Malta’s original Barrakka Lift
Valletta, Malta Joe Dimech Barrakka Lift
Valletta’s first Barrakka Lift operated between 1905 and 1973, linking the...
The history of Malta’s Great Siege Monument
Valletta, Malta Great Siege of Malta
The Great Siege Monument in Valletta commemorates the Great Siege of Malta in 15...
Military divers at Tigne Point in 1974
Malta
This film shows divers from the Malta Pioneer Corps at Tigne Barracks in 1974. T...
Malta’s love of equestrian sports over the years
MARSA horse riding
Horse racing, dressage and showjumping have been popular events in Malta for dec...
Malta’s Silent City of Mdina over the years
Mdina
The charming walled city of Mdina, perched high on a hilltop, at the highest poi...
Malta’s Regatta has been going since the Middle Ages
Grand Harbour Freedom Day
The Regatta has been held in Malta since the Middle Ages. The first professional...
End of an era: The moment the British forces left Malta
Vittoriosa Dom Mintoff Freedom Day
Malta, once Britain’s most important air and naval base in the Mediterrane...
There’s nowhere in Malta quite like San Anton Gardens
Attard Antoine de Paule San Anton Gardens
The San Anton Gardens in Attard are a true gem. The gardens have been open to th...
Malta miracle! How Cospicua Church defied the odds during the war
Cospicua National Pilgrimage of the Immaculate Conception
Cospicua is well known for its annual Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which ...
A new lease of life for a Valletta landmark
Valletta, Malta Anton Buttigieg mcc opening 1979
This archive footage shows some of the extensive restoration work carried out in...
The historic moment Malta joined the European Union
Malta eddie fenech adami Malta EU
Malta joined the European Union in 2004. A referendum on EU membership was held ...