25 December 2011 Last updated at 09:14

In pictures: Christmas celebrations

An Iraqi girl attends a Christmas Mass at Chaldean Catholic church in Amman, Jordan, 24 December

Millions of Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. This Iraqi girl is attending a Christmas Mass at a Chaldean Catholic church in Amman, Jordan.

Filipino Christians inside the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, 24 December

Thousands of people, many who had travelled long distances, joined Palestinian Christians at the Church of the Nativity, in the ancient town of Bethlehem. Here Filipino Christians pray in the church.

Pope Benedict XVI at St Peter's Basilica in Rome

In Rome, Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Catholic Church, held the traditional Christmas Eve Mass at St Peter's Basilica.

Christmas Eve Mass at St Peter's Basilica, 24 December

The pontiff urged the faithful to "see through the superficial glitter of this season and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem".

Choir boys sing during a Christmas Eve choral service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, 24 December

In London, choir boys sang during a festive choral service at St Paul's Cathedral.

Children rest after singing Christmas songs in Beijing, China, 24 December

In China, children staged Christmas concerts across the capital, Beijing.

Christians in Jammu, in Indian-administered Kashmir, attend Mass in St Mary's Garrison Church, 24 December

Christians in Jammu, in the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, attended Mass in St Mary's Garrison Church.

Shoppers in the US city of Chicago, 24 December

These last-minute shoppers were passing a window display on Christmas Eve in the US city of Chicago.

A Christmas tree in a house in Belleville, in the Canadian province of Ontario, 24 December

This Christmas tree was glimpsed on Christmas Eve in a house in Belleville, in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Bathers celebrate Christmas on Sydney's Bondi Beach, Australia, 25 December

On Sydney's Bondi Beach, in Australia, some celebrated Christmas morning with a swim.

Middle East

In pictures: Christmas celebrations

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