Christmas 2012 around the world

British travelers, left to right, Liam Skalley, John Arthurs, Ben Saunders, Sam Hope and Liam Fillingham kick up their heels as they celebrate Christmas Day despite wet and cold weather at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.

Rick Rycroft | AP
A Georgian woman sells chichilaki - an ancient Georgian traditional Christmas tree made of hazelnut wood, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Georgians believe a chichilaki resembles the beard of St. Basil, who is widely revered in the Orthodox Christian ex-Soviet nation.

Shakh Aivazov | AP
Myanmar Christians gather outside the St. Anthony's Catholic Church illuminated on Christmas Day Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar.

Khin Maung Win | AP
Children ride a carousel at the Strasbourg Christmas Market outside the Kremlin in Manezh Square, with the State Historical Museum, left, and the Kremlin in the background right, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Alexander Zemlianichenko | AP
An illumination resembling a Christmas tree is set for New Year celebrations at St. George Monument in Freedom Square in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Shakh Aivazov)

Shakh Aivazov | AP
Fireworks light up the sky above a 326 meter tall Christmas 'tree' decoration, illuminating the TV tower in Vilnius, Lithuania, during the official lighting-up ceremony on Christmas Day Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Mindaugas Kulbis)

Mindaugas Kulbis | AP
Spending Christmas in Finland, Kai Kubierske from Bonn in Germany enjoyed swimming in a hole made through ice at the Gulf of Finland on Tuesday Dec.25, 2012 in Lauttasaari, Helsinki. (AP Photo / Jussi Nukari , Lehtikuva) FINLAND OUT

Jussi Nukari | AP
Trees weighted down by heavy snow lean across a road in Varmdo, east of Stockholm on Tuesday Dec. 25, 2012. Christmas Day came with heavy snowfall, freezing rain and strong winds across Sweden as temperatures ranged from 5 degrees Celsius in Malmo down to minus 38.5 in the far North. That is the coldest temperature recorded in Sweden so far this winter. (AP Photo/ Pontus Lundahl) ** SWEDEN OUT **

PONTUS LUNDAHL | AP
Fireworks light up the church during a "Parranda" celebrating Christmas in the village of Remedios, Cuba, late Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Remedios' parrandas evolved from a priest's attempt to attract residents to his Catholic church's Christmas Mass, and with time, it converted into the town's street party where residents compete in firework and Christmas displays. (AP Photo/ Ismael Francisco, Cubadebate)

Ismael Francisco | AP
Puerto Rican citizens perform as the Three Kings during a Mass to reenact Jesus Christ birth during Christmas celebrations at the Cathedral in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/ Ramon Espinosa)

Ramon Espinosa | AP
Children play around a statue depicting baby Jesus after a Mass to reenact his birth during Christmas celebrations at the Cathedral in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/ Ramon Espinosa)

Ramon Espinosa | AP
Chaldean priest Louis al-Shabi address the faithful during a Christmas mass in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas 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. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Khalid Mohammed | AP
Chaldean priest Louis al-Shabi address the faithful during a Christmas mass in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas 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. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Khalid Mohammed | AP
Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas mass at Virgin Mary Chaldean Church in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas 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. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)

Khalid Mohammed | AP
People attend Christmas service at a local church in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Fareed Khan)

Fareed Khan | AP
Pakistani Christian families attend Christmas service at a local church in Peshawar, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Mohammad Sajjad)

Mohammad Sajjad | AP
Christian women pray during a Christmas service at a local church in Lahore, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ K.M. Chaudary)

K.M. Chaudary | AP
The husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip waves as he leaves after attending the British royal family's traditional Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, England, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Matt Dunham)

Matt Dunham | AP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from children after attending the British royal family's traditional Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, England, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Matt Dunham)

Matt Dunham | AP
In this photo provided by Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the City and to the World) message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria and urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate. Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, a weary-looking and hoarse-sounding Benedict on Tuesday also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies. (AP Photo/ Gregorio Borgia)

AP
In this photo provided by Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the City and to the World) message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI wished Christmas peace to the world, decrying the slaughter of the "defenseless" in Syria and urging Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to negotiate. Delivering the Vatican's traditional Christmas day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, a weary-looking and hoarse-sounding Benedict on Tuesday also encouraged Arab spring nations, especially Egypt, to build just and respectful societies. (AP Photo/ Gregorio Borgia)

AP
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal leads Christmas day mass in the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Adel Hana)

Adel Hana | AP
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, center, leads Christmas mass at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Nasser Shiyoukhi)

Nasser Shiyoukhi | AP
Visitors take picture outside a shopping mall on Christmas eve in Hong Kong Monday Dec. 24, 2012. Christmas is a public holiday and recognized as commercial event rather than religious event in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/ Kin Cheung)

Kin Cheung | AP
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. (AP Photo) INDIA OUT

AP
A female Iranian Christian lights candle at the Saint Mary Chaldean- Assyrian Catholic church, on the Christmas eve, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Iran's constitution gives protected status to Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, but many religious minorities sense growing pressures from the Islamic state. Iran has claimed as a point of pride that it makes space for other religions. It reserves parliament seats for Jewish and Christian lawmakers and permits churches, Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox and others, as well as synagogues and Zoroastrian temples that are under sporadic watch by authorities. Religious celebrations are allowed, but no political messages or overtones are tolerated. In past years, authorities have staged arrests on Christians and other religious minorities.

Vahid Salemi | AP
A Vatican security officer stands by the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square that was unveiled 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. Peter's Square for the inauguration Monday evening of a Nativity scene and cheered when the flame was lit. Later, he will appear in St. Peter's Basilica to lead Christmas Eve Mass.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
Pope Benedict XVI holds the pastoral staff as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Heralded by the blare of trumpets reflecting Christmas joy, Pope Benedict XVI is presiding over Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, packed with tourists, Romans and other faithful. The ceremony began at 10 p.m. (2100 GMT) Monday night instead of the traditional midnight start time, which was changed at the Vatican years ago to let the pontiff rest before a Christmas Day speech to be delivered the next day from the basilica's central balcony.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
The statue of baby Jesus is unveiled by an altar boy prior to the start of the Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Heralded by the blare of trumpets reflecting Christmas joy, Pope Benedict XVI is presiding over Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, packed with tourists, Romans and other faithful. The ceremony began at 10 p.m. (2100 GMT) Monday night instead of the traditional midnight start time, which was changed at the Vatican years ago to let the pontiff rest before a Christmas Day speech to be delivered the next day from the basilica's central balcony.

Gregorio Borgia | AP
U.S. Specialist army Gloria Camacho, left, other soldiers, and service members with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) hold lit candles on Christmas eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.

Musadeq Sadeq | AP
U.S. soldiers and service members with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) take their dinner at a dinning hall on Christmas eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.

Musadeq Sadeq | AP
U.S. soldiers and service members with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) wait to get food at a dinning hall on Christmas eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.

Musadeq Sadeq | AP
Christmas decorations are seen outside a Church, as a U.S. army solider with the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) walks the Church on Christmas eve at the U.S.-led coalition base in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2014.

Musadeq Sadeq | AP
A fishmonger dressed in a festive outfit selects seafood for a client as part of a Christmas dinner in a market in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Retailers remain hopeful for a last-minute burst of Christmas consumerism, and some governments are encouraging it by allowing stores to open on Sunday. But with economies across the region slowing and unemployment soaring, analysts say holiday spending in Europe is bound to disappoint for the fourth year in a row.

Emilio Morenatti | AP
A cross is held during Christmas celebrations outside 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.

Adel Hana | AP
A Christian worshiper walks out 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 where many believe Jesus Christ was born.

Adel Hana | AP
Christian worshippers and tourists celebrate at the Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.

Adel Hana | AP
A Pakistani man, right, stands inside his grocery story which id decorated with festive lights, for the Christmas holiday in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.

Muhammed Muheisen | AP
A mother with her daughter, names not given, sit with candles on the ground and sing a christmas song as they attend with about 22,000 other people the annual Christmas singing at the club's home Alte Foersterei stadium a day before Christmas Eve in Berlin, Sunday.

Markus Schreiber | AP
Trees are decorated with lights to celebrate the upcoming Christmas and New Year at Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, South Korea, Sunday. Christmas is one of the biggest holidays in South Korea, where over half of the population are Christians.

Ahn Young-joon | AP

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