Global Celebrations

The silhouette of the Sforza Castle is seen through Christmas decorations, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Dec. 23, 2005.

Lima, Peru

A Peruvian traffic police officer, dressed like Santa Claus and his helpers, dance while six children look on during a Christmas show in Lima, Peru, on Friday, Dec. 23, 2005. A group of officers from Peru's 'Phoenix' traffic police have taken to the streets this week dressed as holiday characters.

Manila, Philippines

A Filipino vendor carries Christmas lanterns being sold for $4 each along a street in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005. Despite the Filipinos' fondness for elaborate Christmas decorations, vendors claim that sale of lanterns have dropped due to tight budgets of Filipino households.

Bethlehem

Franciscan monks and nuns participate in a procession in the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005.

Vatican City

Pope Benedict XVI, sporting a fur-trimmed hat in the rich red color of a Santa hat, arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, for his weekly general audience. The red hat with white fur trimming is known in Italian as the "camauro" and was popular among pontiffs in the 17th century. More recently, it was used by Pope John XXIII, who was also buried with it in 1963.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgarians in traditional costumes perform an ancient rite to chase away demons and a wish for fertility in the new year in front of the President's office in downtown Sofia, Bulgaria, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005. Some 350 koledari, or carol singers, from the countryside gathered in Bulgaria's capital to participate in the rite.

Brussels, Belgium

A Christmas tree and decorative giant spheres stand on the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, as part of the city's Christmas decorations.

Cape Town, South Africa

A woman dressed as a Christmas Fairy entertains shoppers at Tygervalley Shopping Center in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec, 20, 2005.

Berlin, Germany

Christmas decorations, including a replica of the Brandenburg Gate, illuminates a shopping area in the western part of Berlin, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005.

Tyre, Lebanon

Two Lebanese Muslim women buy Santa Claus toys and suits displayed by Syrian street vendor Kayed Assaf, left, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005.

Istanbul, Turkey

Two Turkish women chat in the lobby of a five-star hotel which is decorated for Christmas and the New Year in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Dec. 19, 2005. Even in predominantly Muslim Turkey, Christmas has evolved as a prime shopping season as Turks joyfully celebrate New Year's Eve with special dinners and exchanging gifts with their loved ones.

Beijing, China

A Chinese woman samples candy near Christmas decorations on the streets of Beijing, China, Sunday, Dec 18, 2005. Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in mainland China, but retailers have adopted the annual gift giving festival as an opportunity to boost sales and create a festive spirit.

Gaza City

Chocolates shaped as Santa Claus are for sale in a shop as Palestinian Christians prepare for Christmas on Dec. 18, 2005, in Gaza City in the Gaza Strip.

Johannesburg, South Africa

A street hawker sells Santa Claus masks and wire Christmas trees at a busy intersection in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, as Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Las Pinas, Philippines

Thousands of people fill the church courtyard as they attend an early morning mass Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 in suburban Las Pinas, south of Manila. The mass which will be held for nine days marks the start of the Christmas celebration in this predominantly Christian country.

Bristol, England

A private house displays illuminated Christmas decorations on Dec. 16, 2005 in Bristol, England. This year, as more and more private homes adopted the trend, the debate about whether the displays are tacky or tasteful has intensified.

Madrid, Spain

Cars pass under the Christmas lights at Puerta de Alcala square in Madrid, Thursday Dec. 15, 2005. The letters spell out peace in several different languages. Some 80 streets and squares are lit up in the Spanish capital during the Christmas holidays.

Trebon, Czech Republic

Fishermen pull a net full of fish caught in the Opatovicky pond during the traditional carp haul near South Bohemian town of Trebon, Czech Republic on Nov. 14, 2005. Sipping warm tea, anglers on the bank and wading in the pond slowly dragged the bottom with a net, using an ancient technique to snare the main ingredient for their holiday meal.

Faithful walk next to a Christmas tree soon after it was lit during a ceremony in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005. The 30-meter tall fir from Upper Austria, along with a nativity scene, will be the Vatican's centerpiece for tourists and pilgrims who will flock there during the holidays.