Images: Christmas Eve around the world
Students play Christmas songs during Christmas Eve along the shore of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong Monday Dec. 24, 2012. Christmas is a public holiday and recognized as commercial event rather than religious event in Hong Kong.
Associated Press
Christian worshippers from Nigeria pray in the Grotto of the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Thousands of Christian worshippers and tourists arrived in Bethlehem on Monday to mark Christmas at the site many believe Jesus Christ was born.
Associated Press
A man dressed as Santa drinks cola as he waits to take part in a Christmas celebration in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Although Christians comprise only two percent of the population Christmas is a national holiday and is observed across the country as an occasion to celebrate.
Associated Press
Special needs children take part in a Christmas celebration in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Although Christians comprise only two percent of the population Christmas is a national holiday and is observed across the country as an occasion to celebrate.
Associated Press
A Catholic pilgrim looks at lit candles outside of the Grotto at the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Thousands of Christian worshippers and tourists arrived in Bethlehem on Monday to mark Christmas at the site where many believe Jesus Christ was born.
Associated Press
Indian students sporting Santa Claus attire ride a cycle rickshaw to celebrate Christmas in Amritsar, India, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Although Christians comprise only two percent of the population Christmas is a national holiday and is observed across the country as an occasion to celebrate.
Associated Press
U.S. Specialist army Gloria Camacho with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) listens to speeches of a Chaplain, not pictured, as she holds her weapon at a church on Christmas Eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.
Associated Press
A U.S. Army woman with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) blows a lit candle on Christmas Eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.
Associated Press
U.S. soldiers with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) speak after eating dinner at a dinning hall on Christmas Eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.
Associated Press
A girl cries as she poses for pictures with a man disguised as Santa Claus in Mexico City, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Associated Press
Lizzie Solano, center, and her sister Sarah take phone calls from children asking where Santa is and when he will deliver presents to their house, during the fifth annual NORAD Tracks Santa Operation, at the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, at Peterson Air Force Base, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Monday Dec. 24, 2012. Over a thousand volunteers at NORAD handle more than 100,000 thousand phone calls from children around the world every Christmas Eve, when NORAD continually projects Santa Clauss supposed progress delivering presents.
Associated Press
The dome of St. Peters Basilica, center, is framed by a Christmas tree at the Vatican Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI has lit a Christmas peace candle set on the windowsill of his private studio overlooking square. Pilgrims, tourists and Romans gathered below in St. Peters Square for the inauguration Monday evening of a Nativity scene and cheered when the flame was lit. Later, he will appear in St. Peters Basilica to lead Christmas Eve Mass.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI lights a candle at his studio window overlooking St. Peters Square at the Vatican, after the unveiling of the Nativity scene, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI has lit a Christmas peace candle set on the windowsill of his private studio overlooking square. Pilgrims, tourists and Romans gathered below in St. Peters Square for the inauguration Monday evening of a Nativity scene and cheered when the flame was lit. Later, he will appear in St. Peters Basilica to lead Christmas Eve Mass.
Associated Press
A Chaldean priest address the faithful during a Christmas Eve mass at St. Josephs Chaldean Church in central Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. The exact number of Christians remaining in Iraq is not known, but it has fallen sharply from as many as 1.4 million before the U.S.-led invasion nearly a decade ago. Community leaders believe there are about 400,000 to 600,000 Christians left in the country, according to figures from the U.S. State Department.
Associated Press
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