For the eighth year running, Caritas will be hosting a Christmas Day lunch for those in need and those who would otherwise be spending the holiday alone.

It is a welcome event, one that aims to bring joy to those who might be going through a tough time.

Christmas brings people together. It is a time when families meet around the table to talk, spend quality time together, catch up. But there are people who, for one reason or another, don’t have people to spend Christmas with, and that can be hard. It’s not easy turning on the television and seeing family Christmas movies, or walking around seeing families enjoying the holiday wherever you look if you yourself do not have that.

That is why events like this yearly Caritas Christmas lunch are so very important. An organisation creating an event that brings people who don’t know each other together serves as an example of what Christmas should be about. Spending time with people, making what should be a celebratory holiday just that, a celebration. Nobody should spend the holiday alone, and Caritas should be commended for hosting such an activity.

Last year, 500 people had gone to the Archbishop’s Curia for the meal. A hundred volunteers, including workers and residents from therapeutic homes run by Caritas, helped organise it.

Each year, it is a success thanks to the hard work put in by these people, who open up their hearts to helping others. This year, the meals will again be prepared by the Alfred Mizzi Foundation, and cooks from the President’s kitchen will prepare some sweets. Music will also be played. A fantastic initiative and a great example of bringing communities together.

This is what Christmas is all about.

But there are things we can all do to uplift the spirits of people going through a hard time at this time of year, and we don’t need to be part of an organisation to do them. Calling up a relative who might not have that many close family members for a chat is one example, or better yet, meeting them and spending time together. The same could be done with neighbours who might be going through a hard time. Perhaps there is a coworker who is working in Malta over the Christmas period and is unable to go home. Reaching out to them and spending time with them could make all the difference.

Then there are the yearly fundraising marathons for organisations that help others, such as L-Istrina. The Maltese always open up their hearts during this time of year.

Such actions should also not just be limited to the Christmas period however. We should all try to do more this coming year to help others. Inflation is affecting everyone, and with that comes increased stress and other issues and those who are already struggling will struggle even more. We must do all we can to help each other.