Mary Lourdes Bonnici MBA

  79 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS Christmas Angels — Messengers, Art and Tradition Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living At Christmas, angels seem to appear everywhere. They stand beside Nativity scenes, shine from Christmas cards, hang delicately from tree branches and sometimes take the place of the star at the very top of the Christmas tree. Yet the Christmas angel is much more than a beautiful seasonal decoration. Its story connects biblical narratives, Christian belief, centuries of sacred art and the development of modern Christmas traditions. To understand why angels became such enduring Christmas figures, we need to separate what appears in the biblical Nativity accounts from the imagery created by artists and the decorative customs that developed much later. 👼 What Does the Word “Angel” Mean? The English word angel ultimately comes through Greek angelos, meaning messenger. This idea of the angel as a messenger is particularly important when we look at the Christmas stor...

  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 88 • 88 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS The Jesse Tree — A Story of Family, Faith and Hope Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living A celebration of tradition, memory, culture, kindness and the timeless magic of Christmas. There are many Christmas trees that sparkle with lights, ribbons and ornaments. But there is another tree whose purpose is not simply decoration. It tells a story. The Jesse Tree uses a tree or branch decorated with symbols connected with biblical people, events and promises leading towards the story of Jesus. During Advent, a new symbol may be added as another part of that story is remembered. It is therefore more than an Advent decoration. It is a visual journey through family, faith, promise, memory and hope . And at its heart lies a powerful image: new life growing from old roots . 🌿 Where Does the Jesse Tree Come From? The name is connected with Jesse , the father of King David. The biblical image behind the tradition is found particularly in Isaiah ...

  🎄 DAY 91 • 91 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS THE CHRISTMAS WREATH A Circle of Welcome, Hope and Everlasting Life Christmas Traditions, Stories & Festive Living Mary Lourdes Bonnici MB The Christmas Wreath: A Circle of Welcome, Hope and Everlasting Life Yesterday, in Day 92 , we explored Christmas carols — songs that have carried faith, celebration, memory and community from one generation to another. Today, our Christmas journey moves from something we hear to something we see . Long before we enter a festively decorated home, we may encounter one of Christmas's most recognisable decorations hanging quietly on its door: the Christmas wreath . Made from evergreen branches, holly, berries, pinecones, ribbons, ornaments or countless modern materials, the wreath can be simple or elaborate. Yet beneath its beauty lies a long history of greenery, seasonal customs and changing symbolism. The wreath is more than decoration. For many people it has come to represent welcome, continuity, hope, rem...