The Milied Flimkien (Christmas Together) activity held in the days leading up to Christmas is one of the very few occasions we have each year when the political and spiritual leaders of the country address the nation within minutes of each other.
Last Saturday’s event, held at the Palace courtyard, had President George Abela, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona OP and Leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat all expressing valid sentiments of hope to the same group of people and to the thousands who were watching on television.
It is a pity that these sentiments are not so evident – and here we are referring to Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat – during the course of the year. Very often, it is politicians who throw their own messages of unity out of the window when they resort to attacking each other, sometimes on a personal level, during the rest of the year.
When they are about to do so, they should think of the words they said last Saturday and hold back. Mind you, both Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat, in a very subtle way that was not so easily noticed, did pass political messages when they spoke last Saturday. But at least, their overall message was loud and clear – we are one nation and as such we should all work together for the best interests of all.
As was to be expected, both Dr Abela and Mgr Cremona dwelt on the need for the people to understand each other and to express solidarity with those in need. While Mgr Cremona tackled the subject from a more spiritual aspect, Dr Abela highlighted the positive characteristics of this nation and spoke about the importance of helping those who need it the most.
Yes, Christmas is a time for giving, and December is the month when families usually gather together on more than one occasion to celebrate.
In this sense, we felt we must underscore a comment that was made by Mgr Cremona – too often, people celebrate with their friends and work colleagues, attend public parties, and allow little time for their own families, the people who care for them the most. Perhaps, this Christmas, we should all make it a point to spend some more time with our parents, brothers, sisters and children. Who knows, maybe it will be the last Christmas together, and then we will live to regret our behaviour.