Unlike previous years which had been characterised by rain showers and thunder, this year’s weather on Christmas eve was quite favourable enabling thousands of Maltese to flock to hear the traditional midnight Christmas masses. The weather forecast for Christmas day is partly cloudy becoming cloudy. However no warnings of heavy rain, thunderstorms or strong winds have been reported.

Luckily, no traffic accidents were reported up until Tuesday morning at 10.30CET.

In his message on Christmas Eve, Archbishop Pawl Cremona appealed for the Maltese people to come nearer to God. He said that during Christmas time we should celebrate Jesus’ birth keeping in mind that God’s son became human like us and for us. Whichever present we receive this Christmas, no one will give you what God gave us, Archbishop Cremona said.

Archbishop Cremona said that God wants to give us so much during Christmas showing us that there are many different ways to celebrate Christmas in its profound spirit. The Archbishop suggested that we should not think only of our cheque books and credit cards whilst thinking about presents but rather we should get out the treasure that is in everyone’s heart: love. This love can be manifested in many ways, verbally or simply with a hug, spending more time with your family. He also mentioned that we should of persons who are in need more than ourselves such as people in homes and irregular immigrants. Lastly, we must not think only in the present tense, the Archbishop said, appealing for us all to get nearer to God.

He finally augured everyone a blessed and peaceful Christmas particularly extending his greetings to persons who are sick in hospitals or at home, persons with special needs, lonely persons, persons in prison and their relatives, victims of violence and injustice, emigrants and refugees and everyone who carries any type of burden in their heart. He prayed for God to be with them, to light their lives with hope, understanding, help and peace.

Also on Christmas Eve, in giving their best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, both the President of Malta Dr Edward Fenech Adami and the Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi referred to the values of Maltese society as reflected during Christmas time. They also took stock of what happened in the Maltese Islands during 2007 while looking forward to the important appointments for the country in 2008.

Click here to access the MaltaMedia Christmas Feature on Christmas in Malta.