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Image: Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup

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Christmas around the world

/ 21 PHOTOS
Image: Christmas decoration in Tbilisi

Georgia

Santa Clauses greet children in front of the former Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Zurab Kurtsikidze / EPA
Image: US-HOLIDAYS-CHRISTMAS-WAIKIKI-BEACH

Hawaii

Beachgoers pass by a decorated Christmas tree at Waikiki beach in Honolulu on Dec. 25.

— Jewel Samad / AFP
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Canada

Raymond Tremblay, dressed as Santa Claus, greets clients and hands out candy canes during Christmas day lunch at the Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa, Ontario, on Dec. 25.

— Justin Tang / CP
Image: Pope Francis waves as he delivers his first \"Urbi et Orbi\" message from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Vatican

Pope Francis waves as he delivers his first "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) message from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Dec. 25, 2013. Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as Roman Catholic leader, on Wednesday called for dialogue to end the conflict in South Sudan and all wars, saying everyone should strive to be personal peacemakers.

— Osservatore Romano / X01934
Image: Pope Francis Delivers His Urbi et Orbi Blessing

Vatican

Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he delivers his Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on Dec. 25, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing (to the city and to the world) is recognised as a Christmas tradition by Catholics with the Pope Francis focusing this year on the peace in the world.

— Franco Origlia / Getty Images Europe
Image: Christmas Day celebration in Romania

Romania

A Romanian woman attends the Christmas mass in the Orthodox church of Malaia village, Romania, on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Robert Ghement / EPA
Image: AFGHANISTAN-UNREST-CHRISTMAS

Afghanistan

Soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force during a special meal on Christmas Day at a military base in Kabul on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Noorullah Shirzada / AFP
Image: AFGHANISTAN-UNREST-CHRISTMAS

Afghanistan

Soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force get their Christmas meal on at a military base in Kabul on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Noorullah Shirzada / AFP
Image: Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup

Spain

A competitor jumps into the sea during the 104rd Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup at the Old Harbour of Barcelona on Dec. 25, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. The Copa Nadal is organised by the Barcelona Swimming Club and involves competitors swimming across some 200 metres of water in the harbour. Launched in 1908 the event has only been suspended three times when the Spanish Civil War interrupted proceedings between 1936 and 1938.

— David Ramos / Getty Images Europe
Image: FRANCE-WEATHER-STORM

France

A young person runs in front of a giant wave, on Dec. 25, 2013 in Nice, France. Gale-force winds and pounding rain Tuesday lashed Britain and France, killing at least five people, disrupting Christmas travel and leaving tens of thousands without power.

— Valery Hache / AFP
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Philippines

Typhoon survivors offer prayers at the Santo Nino church during Christmas mass in Tacloban, Philippines, on Dec. 25, 2013. Many survivors took part in Christmas mass at churches across the area devastated by the Nov. 8 typhoon Haiyan's ferocious winds and the tsunami-like storm surge. Most Philippines' nationals are devout Christian.

— Achmad Ibrahim / AP
Image: Traditional Miners Christmas Mass

Germany

Members from the Miners Brotherhood Joehstadt in their traditional ceremonial dresses turn off their pit lights on the village's market square after attending an early morning mass on Christmas Day, in Joehstadt, Germany, on Dec. 25, 2013. Following a centuries old habit Christmas in this region officially starts with the early mass on Christmas Day which also marks the end of the year's mining season.

— Hendrik Schmidt / DPA
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Jordan

An Iraqi Orthodox Christian refugee attends a morning Christmas mass at the Saint Afram Syrian Orthodox Church in Amman, Jordan, on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Mohammad Hannon / AP
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Jordan

The women of Saint Afram Syrian Orthodox church's choir pray during morning Christmas mass in Amman, Jordan, on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Mohammad Hannon / AP
Image: A woman holds a burning candle during a visit to the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem on Christmas day

Bethlehem

A woman holds a burning candle during a visit to the Church of Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Christmas day on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Mohamad Torokman / X02127
Image:

India

A Christian man prays during Christmas mass in a church in Gauhati, India, on Dec. 25, 2013. Although Christians comprise only two percent of the population among a Hindu majority, the holiday is observed across the country as an occasion to celebrate.

— Anupam Nath / AP
Image: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal carries a statuette of baby Jesus during Christmas midnight mass in Bethlehem

Bethlehem

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal carries a statuette of baby Jesus during Christmas midnight mass at the Church of St. Catherine, which is connected to the Church of Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Dec. 25, 2013.

— Pool / X80003
Image: Pope's midndight Christmas Mass

Vatican

Pope Francis kisses a baby Jesus statue as he leads the midndight Christmas Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican late on Dec. 24, 2013.

— Ettore Ferrari / ANSA
Image: Festive Period Being Enjoyed In London

London

Members of the public skate on Christmas eve at the ice rink infront of the Natural History Museum on Dec. 24, 2013 in London, England.

— Justin Setterfield / Getty Images Europe
Image: Chinese Celebrate Christmas

China

Thousands of people spend their Christmas Eve at Optics Valley on Dec. 24, 2013 in Wuhan, China.

— Chinafotopress / Getty Images AsiaPac
Image: A water skier dressed as Santa is joined by a man dressed as a reindeer as they ski in the Potomac River at National Harbor to celebrate Christmas Eve in Maryland

Maryland

A water skier dressed as Santa is joined by a man dressed as a reindeer as they ski in the Potomac River at National Harbor to celebrate Christmas Eve in Maryland, on Dec. 24, 2013.

— Larry Downing / X00961
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