December spells Christmas and in Gozo it triggers off numerous activities which are held in various parts of the island and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Christmas is the best time of the year and one can celebrate each single day of the month. Already, by mid-December many shop windows are half-empty and this shows the maturity of our people who do their shopping at an earlier date to avoid the final rush hour and enjoy the various festivities without undue hassle.
Throughout December the Banca Giuratale in Independence Square becomes the permanent home of Pastores, an artistic crib by Mariorick Mifsud, a budding young artist. On Sunday 17 December at Xaghra, Christmas delicacies will be available in front of the Parish Church.
For the members of the Society of Christian Doctrine, the crib is the central aspect of Christmas.
To promote this spiritual aspect, they organise processions with Baby Jesus along the streets of our towns and villages. In the second half of December the group Christmas in Xaghra holds an exhibition of traditional cribs at the Boys’ Museum Centre which opens daily from 6pm to 9pm.
Our advice is to visit the Crib Show organised by the Friends of the Crib Association starting on 17 December at the Gozo Ministry Halls. During this time, one can also choose to visit the various cribs, mechanical and static which are on show in different localities in Gozo. Alternatively one can join the crib tour organised by the Legion of Mary on Tuesday 26 December starting from St Augustine Square at 9.30am. There are 12 mechanical and 26 static ones. A detailed list can be obtained from the Culture Office in Independence Square, Victoria.
The 13 cribs which are on show in Xaghra are open to the public from 20 December. Jointly with the National Orchestra, the Chorus Urbanus presents a grandiose Christmas Concert at the Astra Theatre on 22 December. The annual spectacular pageant held at St Lawrence parish on Christmas Eve which involves practically all the villagers headed by the untiring mayor who has been a protagonist in the event for many years is not to be missed.
At the end of the year, a Christmas Song Festival is held at Xlendi Church. A similar event takes place at the Boys’ Museum Centre in Nadur. On 30 December at 7.30pm, Oratory Don Bosco once again features the Grand Christmas Concert to which everyone is invited.
Taking everything in consideration, although the weather gets cooler and showers become more frequent, it is a pleasure to go around the island enjoying the Christmas decorations, listening to carols and visiting cribs. This is December: the month to enjoy.
Finally, the Gozo Cultural Council has commissioned the splendid lighting display in Republic Street and Independence Square. Additionally, the Victoria Local Council is holding a great family feast on New Year’s Eve which will include a variety of entertainment in Republic Street, Independence Square and Saint George’s Square.
Let us celebrate the end of 2006 which is fast heading to its close.
Chev. Joe M. Attard
Victoria, Gozo