Christmas around the World

A Christmas tree in front of the ancient Colosseum in Rome on Dec. 17, 2011.

Italy

A bus passes under Christmas lights with the Italian colors on the Via del Corso leading to Piazza Venezia, in the background, on Dec. 16, 2011, in Rome.

France

A giant illuminated Santa Claus is displayed on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, southeastern France, on Dec. 16, 2011, as part of yuletide celebrations.

Vatican City

Ukrainian faithfuls wearing traditional dress stand in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City before the lighing of the Christmas tree on Dec. 16, 2011.

Vatican City

An illuminated Christmas tree in front of the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Dec. 16, 2011.

Vatican City

People walk in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City after the lighing of a giant Christmas tree on Dec. 16, 2011.

Colombia

A group of children pray the Christmas Novena while recreating a living Nativity scene on Dec. 16, 2011, at the Chorro de Quevedo Square in the neighborhood of La Candelaria in downtown Bogota, Colombia.

Vatican City

Tourists stand in front of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after the lighting up of the Christmas tree on Dec. 16, 2011.

India

Santa Claus, who travelled to India from Finnish Lapland, waves to well wishers during pre-Christmas celebrations at a hotel in New Delhi on Dec. 17, 2011. Santa Claus inaugurated a 20-foot tall Christmas tree made up of more than four thousand recycled plastic bottles illuminated by LED lights.

France

Bikers dressed as Santa Claus parade to collect funds on Dec. 17, 2011, at La Roche-sur-Yon, western France. The bikers, volunteers from the charity "La Cabaude", distribute candies and collect funds to help the National Society of Sea Lifeguards (SNSM).

Japan

A general view of Christmas illuminations on Dec. 17, 2011, in Yokohama, Japan.

West Bank

A Christian boy lights a candle at the Church of the Nativity in the biblical West Bank city of Bethlehem on Dec. 17, 2011, as Christian pilgrims and tourists are expected to descend to the traditional birthplace of Jesus to celebrate Christmas eve on Dec. 24.

France

Customers crowd in front of the shops, purchasing gifts and treats one week before the Christmas feast in the streets of Strasbourg, eastern France, on Dec. 17, 2011.

France

Customers crowd in front of the shops in the streets of Strasbourg, eastern France, on Dec. 17, 2011.

Japan

A general view of Christmas shopping scene on Dec. 17, 2011, in Tokyo, Japan.

Spain

Costumers walk around the shoping area on the penultimate Saturday before Christmas on Dec. 17, 2011, in Barcelona, Spain.

Spain

Costumers walk around the shoping area on the penultimate Saturday before Christmas on Dec. 17, 2011, in Barcelona, Spain.

Spain

Costumers walk around the shoping area on the penultimate the weekend before Christmas, Dec. 17, 2011, in Barcelona, Spain.

Australia

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Pakistan

Pakistani Christians pray at the Cathedral church in Lahore on Dec. 18, 2011. Christians in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world will celebrate Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ, on Dec. 25.

Pakistan

Pakistani Christians pray at the Cathedral church in Lahore on Dec. 18, 2011.

United States

The U.S. Capitol dome and Christmas tree are seen Dec. 18, 2011, in Washington.

United States

Phyllis Moore-Shelby poses for a portrait at a face cut-out board at the annual Honolulu City Lights, a holiday season tradition, at the Honolulu City Hall grounds on Dec. 18, 2011, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

United States

Visitors view the annual Honolulu City Lights, a holiday season tradition, at the Honolulu City Hall grounds on Dec. 18, 2011, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Australia

Christmas festive lights are displayed on a house on Dec. 19, 2011, in Canberra, Australia. Residents across Canberra are lighting their properties with Christmas lights in the build-up to Christmas Day.

Australia

Christmas festive lights are displayed on a house on Dec. 19, 2011, in Canberra, Australia.

United States

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit on Nov. 30, 2011, in New York.

China

A Christmas tree is installed at Zhongyang Road on Dec. 8, 2011, in Nanjing, China.

Harrods department store in London's Knightbridge neighborhood during one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Dec. 17, 2011

United Kingdom

Members of the public enjoy the "Winter Wonderland" attraction in Hyde Park on Dec. 9, 2011 in London, England. The temporary, festive theme park runs for seven weeks around Christmas and features an ice rink, several large rides and numerous food and gift stalls. Last year approximately two million visitors visited the attraction, which this year runs until Jan. 3, 2012.

France

A christmas tree and a big wheel on the Grand Place in Lille, northern France on Dec. 9, 2011.

Germany

A Weihnachtspyramide, or German Christmas pyramid, stands at a Christmas market at Alexanderplatz on Dec. 10, 2011, in Berlin, Germany. Berlin is in the midst of a full Christmas season with Christmas markets, Christmas lights and of course Christmas shopping.

Germany

The Munich Marienplatz Christmas market stands illuminated on Dec. 9, 2011, in Munich, Germany. The Marienplatz Christmas market claims to be one of Bavaria's oldest Christmas markets. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein (mulled wine), Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

Monaco

The Christmas lights in front of the Monte-Carlo Casino on Dec. 12, 2011 in Monaco.

Italy

A view of Christmas decorations at Piazza Venezia in Rome on Dec. 12, 2011.

Germany

A Christmas tree stands in Berlin's Pariser platz, in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Dec. 12, 2011, ahead of the festive season.

United States

Giant Christmas light strings decorate the pavement in front of office buildings in New York, on Dec. 9, 2011.

Hungary

Visitors walk near St. Stephen's Basilica of Budapest on Dec. 19, 2011, during a Christmas fair in the heart of the city a few days before Christmas.