December spells Christmas and in Gozo it triggers off numerous activities that are held in various parts of the island and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Christmastime 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 hustle.

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, at Xaghra Christmas delicacies will be available in front of the parish church.

At the Gozo Ministry hall, Colin Attard, leading an orchestra with soloists, conducted the Grand Concert on December 13. The next day, Gozo welcomed the President of the Republic who was hosted at St George’s Basilica for the annual Community Chest Fund activity.

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 6 to 9 p.m.

Our advice is to visit the crib show organised by the Friends of the Crib Association starting on Sunday 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 December 26, starting from St Augustine Square at 9.30 a.m. 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 on show in Xaghra are open to the public from December 20. Jointly with the National Orchestra, the Chorus Urbanus presents a grandiose Christmas Concert at the Astra Theatre on December 22. Not to be missed is the annual spectacular pageant held at St Lawrence parish on Christmas Eve.

By year’s end a Christmas Song Festival is held at Xlendi church. A similar event takes place at the Boys’ MUSEUM centre in Nadur. The Grand Christmas Concert is held on December 30 at 7.30 p.m. at the Don Bosco Oratory.

The Gozo Cultural Council has commissioned the splendid lighting display in Republic Street and Independence Square. Additionally, the Victoria local council will be holding a great family feast on New Year’s Eve, which will include a variety of entertainment events in Republic Street, Independence Square and St George’s Square. Let us celebrate the end of 2006, which is fast heading to its close.