Christmas Eve Procession facts for kids

The Christmas Eve Procession is a special tradition in Malta during Christmas. It started over 86 years ago thanks to St. George Preca (1880-1962). He simply wanted to help people remember the true meaning of Jesus' birth in a Christian way.

The Beginning of a Tradition

St. George Preca, also known as Dun Ġorġ, loved Christmas very much. He was ordained as a priest on December 22, 1906. On Christmas Day that year, he celebrated his first Mass. This made Christmas even more special for him.

Dun Ġorġ often thought about the birth of Christ. When he started the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM) in 1907, he often talked about the Gospel of St. John. He especially focused on the words: "The Word was made flesh and lived among us." These words became the motto for his society.

Dun Ġorġ even asked members to pray on the 25th of each month to thank God for Jesus' birth. He also wrote special reflections called "The School of Bethlehem." These were read in the nine days before Christmas. He encouraged members to walk with a small statue of Baby Jesus inside their centers. He also wanted families to have a small crib at home.

The First Outdoor Procession

On Christmas Day in 1920, Dun Ġorġ saw how excited everyone was about their usual indoor procession. He suggested they take the procession outside. So, a group went out into the streets of Marsa and Ħamrun, singing Christmas hymns. One member carried a small statue of Baby Jesus on a white cloth. Dun Ġorġ was very happy to hear how much people enjoyed this first outdoor event.

A "Demonstration" of Faith

The next year, in 1921, Dun Ġorġ wanted to organize a "demonstration" with the Baby Jesus statue. Some members were confused. At that time, "demonstration" usually meant a protest march. But Dun Ġorġ quickly explained. He wanted a peaceful showing of faith in Jesus' birth. He saw that Christmas was becoming too focused on other things. He wanted to bring back its true meaning.

Back then, Christmas for many people meant going to Midnight Mass. They would also enjoy special meals and sweets. Children played with nuts, and adults enjoyed wine. Some people even played music in the villages.

The First Big Procession in Ħamrun

A few days later, Dun Ġorġ told his members to organize the Christmas Eve procession. The MUSEUM centers in Marsa, Blata l-Bajda, and Ħamrun formed choirs. But they needed a larger statue of Baby Jesus. Churches usually had these. Luckily, the Franciscan Conventuals in Valletta agreed to lend them one.

On Christmas Eve 1921, members gathered in Ħamrun. Some carried lanterns, like those used by altar boys. Others brought bicycle lamps or paraffin lamps. Younger children had colorful paper lamps. Some even carried palm fronds or olive branches.

As the Baby Jesus statue appeared, carried by an adult, everyone began singing carols. They sang "Nini la Tibkix Iżjed" and "O Come, All Ye Faithful". The procession moved through the streets of Ħamrun. People opened their windows and watched from balconies. Everyone loved it and wanted it to happen again.

Spreading the Tradition

The success in Ħamrun encouraged other MUSEUM branches. The next year, many started their own processions. In 1922, a nine-year-old boy named Gerald Schembri carried Baby Jesus in Żabbar. The streets were dark and muddy, but boys brought candles and lanterns. A teenager used a bicycle lamp to light up the cradle.

Christmas carols were sung, and residents watched from their homes. Soon, the procession tradition spread to Qormi (1921), Birgu (1923), Valletta (1924), and later Żebbuġ, Siġġiewi, Gudja, and Żejtun.

Finding Statues of Baby Jesus

Getting a life-size statue of Baby Jesus was still a challenge. But in 1923, Ġiġi Vidal from the Birgu branch brought one from Lecce, Italy. Soon, other branches wanted similar statues. A Valletta importer then brought 12 more.

The superior of the Siġġiewi Branch, Karmenu Bonnici, heard about them. He "prepared his donkey and went straight to Valletta." He bought one for 30 scudi, which was like a month's pay for a worker. Soon, other branches bought the rest. Some of these statues are still used today.

Making the Procession Special

Many members used their talents to make the procession even more beautiful. Antonio Cassar, a tinsmith from Qormi, made a lovely halo and flower vases for the statue. Carpenters made beautiful mangers and platforms. John Gerada from Żabbar made fine wax and papier-mache statues for other branches.

Over the years, the lighting improved. First, they used acetylene gas. Later, they added plywood signs with Bible quotes. These signs, called "skudi" (shields), were designed by Ġużè Schembri. Today, electricity and public address systems make the event even better.

Since the 1930s, accordions have accompanied the choir. In some villages, people played the tambourine, triangle, and a traditional instrument called a "dorga." This small earthenware pitcher made a pleasant warbling sound when filled with water and blown into. Dun Ġorġ preferred that no formal band take part.

The procession often stopped in the village square. There, one of the boys would give a short speech about the Nativity.