Christmas around the world
People mark Christmas 2015 in many different ways.
A swimmer takes a dip in the Serpentine River before the annual Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup handicap race in Hyde Park, London, Dec. 25.
London
Britain's Queen Elizabeth leaves after attending the Christmas Day service at church in Sandringham, eastern England, Dec. 25.
Bahrain
A musical band from Shi'ites community in Bahrain perform at St Christopher's Cathedral during Christmas mass in Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 25.
Afghanistan
NATO troops have dinner during Christmas celebrations in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec.25.
London
Swimmers prepare to take part in the annual Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup handicap race in the Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, London, Dec. 25.
India
People pose next to a 251-feet-long (76-meters) cake during Christmas celebrations at a consumer fair in Chandigarh, India, Dec. 25.
Japan
A beluga whale greets visitors while wearing a Christmas cap during the sea animal show, part of special events to mark Christmas, at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama. Christmas activities at the aquarium run through Dec. 25.
London
Britain's Prince Harry carries a stuffed toy as he leaves after attending the Christmas Day service at church in Sandringham, eastern England, Dec. 25.
London
Two Scottish Terriers wear Christmas themed coats as they join their owners to watch the annual Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup handicap swimming race in the Serpentine River, in Hyde Park, London, Dec. 25.
Beirut
Assyrian Christians from Syria and Iraq, attend a Christmas mass at Saint Georges church in an eastern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut, on Dec. 25.
Rome
Pope Francis waves from the balcony of St Peter's basilica during the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message to the city and the world, on Dec. 25 at St Peter's square in the Vatican.
During his Christmas message Pontiff Said ' My thoughts turn to those affected by brutal acts of terrorism, particularly the recent massacres which took place in Egyptian airspace, in Beirut, Paris, Bamako and Tunis.
India
Indian children enjoy a camel ride during a Christmas fair at St. Joseph's College in Allahabad, India on Dec. 25.
Australia
People pose from the surf at Bondi Beach on Dec. 25 in Sydney.
Bondi Beach is a popular tourist destination on Christmas Day.
New York
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (L) and civil rights activist Al Sharpton (C) serve food to children and people while they take part in an event celebrating Christmas at the National Action Network in Harlem, New York Dec. 25.
Bethlehem
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal (C) leads a Christmas midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Dec. 25.
India
A man kisses a figure of the baby Jesus at a church on Christmas Day in Ahmedabad, India, Dec. 25.
Bulgaria
A man dressed as Santa Claus lights a candle during a Christmas mass at Alexander Nevski cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec. 25.
New York
People take part in an event celebrating Christmas at the National Action Network in Harlem, New York, Dec. 25.
Berlin
Members of the Berliner Seehunde (Berlin seals) swimming club wear Father Christmas outfits during their traditional Christmas swimming on Dec. 25 at the Orankesee lake in Berlin.
Rome
Swiss guards parade before the arrival of Pope Francis for the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message to the city and the world, on December 25. at St Peter's square at the Vatican.
Beirut
Assyrian Christians, from Syria and Iraq, receive communion during a Christmas mass at Saint Georges church in an eastern suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Dec. 25.
Bethlehem
Nigerian pilgrims gather at the Church of Nativity on December 24. in Bethlehem, West Bank.
Every year thousands of Christian pilgrims travel to the church that marks the site of the cave in which Jesus is said to have been born.
Rome
Piligrims from Germany attend the Pope Francis' 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing message in St Peter's Square on December 25. in Vatican City.
Bethlehem
Clergymen march in Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity as Christians gather for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, on December 24.
Pilgrims celebrated Christmas in the town where tradition says Jesus was born but festivities were subdued against a backdrop of violence in the Holy Land and a growing jihadist threat across the Middle East.