Christmas Around The World

A couple with their child walk near a Christmas tree at Kotzia square in cental Athens on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004. The city of Athens has planned a series of festivities for the Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays, including the launching of 2005 fireworks over the ancient Acropolis.

Poland

A fish seller holds a live carp at a market in central Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004. Carp is the traditional high point of the Christmas Eve dinner in Poland, but activists are trying to stamp out the practice which they condemn as cruel.

Palestine

A Greek orthodox priest walks inside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004. The Church of the Nativity is the site where many Christians traditionally believe Jesus Christ was born.

United Arab Emirates

An Emirates man walks in front of a decorated Christmas tree at the reception area of Emirates Towers office building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004.

Japan

A polar bear stands up as a zoo keeper dressed like a Santa Claus displays a salmon at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004. The whole salmon is a special Christmas treat for the residents of the zoo.

Iraq

An Iraqi boy carries a small Christmas tree in central Baghdad Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004. Some 800,000 Christians live in Iraq.

Mexico

People walk in a Carnival Park for Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, in Mexico City.

Australia

Lion cub Johari holds a Christmas treat with one paw while investigating the unfamiliar smells and objects in his domain at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004.

Indonesia

An Indonesian police officer guards the perimeter of Jakarta's main Ccthedral, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004. Indonesian police are undertaking a massive security operation at churches, malls and hotels amid warnings that Islamic terrorists are planning Christmas attacks in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Austria

A Christmas tree vendor prepares a Tannenbaum for sale, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, in Vienna's shopping street Graben. Historians say the Tannenbaum dates to the Druids of northern Europe, who lived several centuries before Christ and used pine boughs to mark the winter solstice.

South Korea

Dressed in Santa Claus outfits, a monkey and trainer try to raise more donations by ringing bells at a department store in Seoul, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004. The donations will be used to help orphans and other needy people who are suffering in the stagnant economy in South Korea.

Vatican

Pope John Paul II exchanges Christmas greeting with members of the Roman Curia during an audience in the Clementine hall at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004. The pontiff, alluding to his own difficulties with aging, said that each passing year brings a stronger need for help from God.

Taiwan

A public bus company driver Li Sun-ta dressed as Santa Claus stops for a passenger on his route, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, in Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei's Capital Bus Company has a tradition of dressing its drivers in the jolly St. Nick outfit in hopes of bringing Yuletide cheer to passengers in the days before Dec. 25.

Sweden

A composite photo of the Christmas straw goat, torched by vandals in Gaevle, central Sweden, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004. The goat, erected by local merchants for Christmas, has only made it through the holiday season 10 times without being burned since 1966.

China

Chinese workers set up a metal structure for a giant Christmas tree in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004. Christmas, while not traditionally celebrated, is gaining popularity in the Communist country with retailers capitalizing on the holiday spirit to boost their end-of-year sales.

South Africa

Two unidentified brothers cry as they are photographed with Santa Claus at Carlton Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, Dec. 20, 2004.

Canada

Nine-year-old Jason Zhan holds the hand of his 4-year-old sister Linda as the two admire an igloo made of Christmas lights at City Hall Square in Windsor, Ont., Saturday, Dec.18, 2004. The siblings were out with family members enjoying the festive display.

Portugal

People dressed as Santa Claus stroll along a street in Porto, northern Portugal, during a Santa Claus march, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004. More than 5,000 people dressed as Father Christmas marched in the Portuguese city.