It’s that time of the year when we should be making merry and be feeling jolly.

And after two Christmas seasons – 2020 and 2021 – which were characterised by limitations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this time the situation provides a better opportunity for social gatherings.

People are still getting the virus, and this past week we had two Covid-related deaths, as if to remind us that caution should still be exercised. But the restrictions we had for many months have been put behind us, the vaccine seems to be doing its job properly, and we can look forward to a Christmas which is similar to the ones celebrated before the pandemic broke.

One important gauge of how things have moved on since the past Christmas is the tourism industry, which took a big hit in both 2020 and 2021, with all that was happening around the world, and particularly in Europe. In 2022, it did not reach the pre-Covid levels, but it has moved quite close, which is an indication that people are once again feeling free to travel and are no longer afraid of doing so. For countries, such as Malta, whose economy is largely based on this particular sector, it is good news.

We’re told that restaurants are pretty much booked for the Christmas season, which also means that families who missed out on their gatherings in the past years are planning to meet up again. This is happening in spite of the rise in prices, brought about by the hefty inflation that we have experienced since the start of the year, and which was exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The cost of dining out has gone up sharply in the last 12 months, but most people are still not shying away from doing it.

Others still prefer to organise their lunches at home but they can do so with the utmost liberty and are not restricted in the number of people they can invite under one roof. There will be the traditional exchange of presents and, even here, it has been said that purchases from retail outlets has picked up. There is still one week to go, and retailers will be hoping for one final rush to buy gifts. Many, however, prefer to give money or vouchers, fearing that the person receiving a particular item as a present is disappointed.

Speaking of gatherings and presents, we must spare a thought for the less fortunate. There are people who have no-one to spend their Christmas with, and it is positive to note that several organisations are planning to bring them together for Christmas lunch. Then again, these will just be a few hours of “being with others” before they return to their lonely life. We should all be doing more during the course of the year, not just on one day.

With the number of people close or beneath the poverty line on the rise, the government and society in general must take notice. Giving money during the annual L-istrina find-raising activity – this will be held, as usual, on 26 December – should not be enough to put our conscience at ease. There is so much more than we can do to help others.

Then there are others who, in spite of being surrounded by people they love and who love them back, still feel alone, perhaps lonely too. It is very strange to be among friends and family and still feel the grip of solitude, as if one is watching something happening from a distance and not being able to participate. It is a known fact that depression surfaces with greater strength at this time of the year, and the number of suicides tends to increase too. So spare a moment for these people too, and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Sometimes a smile or a hug will go a long way, much further than words.

Last year, Christmas had brought about the controversy related to what European Commissioner Helena Dalli had suggested – the elimination of the word “Christmas” in official greetings. The document was quickly withdrawn, not before causing a huge embarrassment to Malta on the international stage. It was then said that the proposals would have been revised but, since a year has passed and another Christmas is approaching without there having been a mention of this reviewed version, the idea has been probably shelved.

This year, we have an even bigger storm as the government remains adamant in pushing through an amendment to the laws of Malta which would effectively mean the introduction of abortion, an idea that has found stiff opposition. There is still time to change, and it is hoped that the government will see the need for this change.

We wish our readers a peaceful and joyous Christmas season.