| Saint Nicholas - Sunday December 6, 2020 cards/flowers : A festival for children related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts.
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| Immaculate Conception - Tuesday December 8, 2020 Catholic : Dogma that Mary was from the first moment of conception, totally free from the stain of original sin. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday
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| Republic Day - Sunday December 13, 2020 Secular holiday : Ten years after gaining independence Malta opted out of the Commonwealth and decided to become a republic (1974).
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| Christmas holiday (beginning) - Tuesday December 24, 2019 School holidays :
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| Christmas Day - Wednesday December 25, 2019 Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.
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| Banks are closed - Thursday December 26, 2019 Banks only :
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