President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Speaker Anglu Farrugia, Apostolic Bishop Charles Scicluna and Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia this evening delivered messages of love, peace and unity at the Milied Flimkien event, the traditional activity in which political and church leaders address the nation on the eve of Christmas week.
The annual event was held in Triton Square Valletta. The set up for this event was the Maltese crib that two years ago was adorning the Vatican square and last year was taken to Bethlehem.
In nher address, the President said that Christmas is for everyone not only for Christians. She said it is a time to open our hearts to everyone. Our children and youths are the ones who set this example of positivity and altruism.
Three youths from the St Thomas Moore College in Santa Lucia also read out a letter discussing organ donations. They identified the lack of knowledge on the subject and said that they held several events to raise awareness about the subject in their school. They encouraged more people to donate blood and register to become organ donors.
Coleiro Preca echoed their appeal for blood and organ donation, insisting on the importance of being altruistic.
She also said that Christmas can be a time of solitude for some people and encouraged people to contribute, not only monetarily but also to open their hearts and doors.
Muscat discussed the difference between artificial intelligence and what makes us human. He said that there will come a point were technology is so advanced that it can anticipate what you need.
However, “a machine cannot be programmed to love. Only creatures that are alive are capable of this sentiment,” he said.
“This is what makes us fundamentally different more machines,” he continued. Muscat said that we must accept each other and not sew seeds of hatred against people coming from a different country or who have a different skin colour.
He insisted that this does not mean everyone can do as they please and that laws apply to both Maltese and foreign people. However, we need to welcome and accept everyone.
Farrugia spoke about peace and how Christmas is the time to reflect on this. Malta has worked hard for peace both for the country but also internationally.
Just echoing the phrase ‘peace be with you’ is not enough but we have to work on the value of love, he noted.
Even if you do not agree with someone, like sometimes happens in parliament, there needs to be respect. He also said that we need to work together for peace as this will result in more serenity and in Malta being a better country.
Scicluna said that Christmas is the time when we realise how much God loves us, whoever we are.
He also praised the Maltese community for their generosity and said that we have already fulfilled the Pope’s message of solidarity.
Delia said that there are people who look forward to the festivities of Christmas but there are also others who are sad during this time, perhaps because of poverty.
The story of baby Jesus, who also was born without a roof over his head, should give us the courage to look forward with hope.
He appealed to everyone that during Christmas time, more than the rest of the year, to come together to give hope and courage to each other. Delia said that we should identify those that need help and let them know the country is there for them.
Photos Luke Zerafa