Mary Lourdes Bonnici MBA

  The Christmas Star — A Symbol Across Generations Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living There are few Christmas symbols as simple, recognisable and meaningful as the star. We see it shining above Nativity scenes, hanging in windows, glowing in streets and churches, printed on Christmas cards and, in many homes, placed proudly at the very top of the Christmas tree. Yet the Christmas star is much more than a beautiful decoration. Across generations, it has represented guidance, hope, light, faith and the search for something greater than ourselves. Its strongest Christian meaning comes from the biblical account of the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Magi on their journey to find the child Jesus. Matthew's Gospel describes the Magi seeing the star, following it and rejoicing when it led them towards the child. Today, whether it appears above a Nativity scene or sparkles at the top of a family Christmas tree, the star continues to carry a message that has travelled th...

  🎄 DAY 89 • 89 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS The Advent Calendar — Opening a Little Door to Christmas By Mary Lourdes Bonnici A Tradition of Patience, Anticipation and Daily Joy Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living A celebration of tradition, memory, culture, kindness and the timeless magic of Christmas. After yesterday’s journey into the Christmas Nativity Scene, Day 89 turns to another beloved tradition—one that transforms waiting into a daily ritual. The Advent calendar may look simple: twenty-four numbered doors, pockets, boxes or envelopes. Yet behind this familiar Christmas tradition lies a fascinating story about anticipation, childhood, faith and the human desire to make the journey toward Christmas meaningful. 1. What Is an Advent Calendar? An Advent calendar is traditionally used to count the days from 1 December to Christmas Eve, 24 December. Each day, one numbered section is opened. Depending on the calendar, it might reveal a picture, Bible verse...

  🎄 99 Days to Christmas Why Christmas Feels So Special: The Psychology of Christmas Nostalgia By Mary Lourdes Bonnici Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living — Day 99 Sometimes Christmas seems to arrive before the decorations are even taken out of their boxes. We hear the opening notes of a familiar Christmas song. We smell cinnamon, cloves, oranges or something baking. We see an ornament that has been in the family for years. And suddenly, we are somewhere else. Perhaps we remember Christmas mornings from childhood. A grandparent's home. A family gathering. A particular meal. Someone we love. Or simply the feeling of waiting excitedly for Christmas to arrive. That experience has a name: nostalgia . And it is the perfect place to begin our official journey through Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living . What Is Nostalgia? Nostalgia is much more complex than simply remembering the past. Researchers at the University of Southampton describe it as ...