Take a quick trip around the world to learn how different cultures celebrate the season.
People around the globe celebrate Christmas in their own unique ways. Here is a glimpse into how some cultures mark the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Down Under
Christmas in Australia takes place during the summertime. Of course, the hot weather doesn't prevent Australians from celebrating Christmas. They're just more likely to celebrate outside. Many families eat their midday Christmas meal in their backyards and sometimes even at the beach. And when Santa makes an appearance, he's usually wearing his swimming suit.
Australia's most breathtaking Christmas tradition, Carols by Candlelight, also takes place outside. At outdoor concerts held in cities and towns throughout Australia, people sit on blankets, light candles and sing Christmas carols together.
Australians decorate their homes with "Christmas Bush," a native plant with cream coloured flowers that turn a shiny deep red around Christmas.
Christmas in Africa
Whether rich or poor, Christians in Africa celebrate the birth of Jesus with immense joy and passion. These celebrations centre around church services and the lively processions following Christmas Eve services are filled with song and dance.
In Ghana, churches start preparing for Christmas many months in advance and some say it feels like the entire country is actually getting ready for the birth of Jesus.
Eating and visiting family and friends is also huge part of the holiday. For instance, Kenyans typically celebrate by roasting a goat and eating the delicious meat hot off the grill. Those who can't afford to purchase or slaughter a goat often pool resources with family and friends.
Many people in Africa, of course, cannot afford to give gifts. If gifts are exchanged in poor communities, they generally consist of practical things, such as schoolbooks or soap.
Las Posadas
The major Christmas celebration in Mexico starts nine days before Christmas and is called Las Posadas. Each night, a group of neighbours re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.
Carrying small, lit candles and images of Mary and Joseph, these "pilgrims" travel from house to house looking for lodging. They are refused by each "innkeeper" until they reach the home of the family hosting La Posada that night.
Once inside, they gather around a nativity scene to pray and sing traditional Christmas songs. Then, the nightly festivities begin and children take turns trying to break open a piñata filled with peanuts, tangerines and candy.
Christmas in China
The Christian population in China is relatively small and Christmas is not a public holiday. However, Chinese Christians light up their homes with pretty paper lanterns and hang paper decorations-chains, flowers and lanterns-on "trees of light."
Christian children also hang muslin stockings for Dun Che Lao Ren (Christmas Old Man) to fill with gifts and treats. Many non-Christians also exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas, especially in urban areas where Christmas displays and decorations have become commonplace.
Peace blessing in Iraq
Iraqi Christian families take part in a special ceremony outside their homes on Christmas Eve. Family members hold lit candles while one child reads about the birth of Jesus from an Arabic Bible.
After this, the family sings songs around a bonfire of dried thorn bushes. If the thorns turn to ashes, it is said the family will enjoy good fortune in the coming year. When the fire burns out, everyone jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.
Following another bonfire at church the next day, church officials march behind their bishop who carries an image of Jesus. The Christmas service concludes when the bishop blesses a member of the church by touching him with his hand. That person touches the person next to him and so on until everyone at the service receives "the touch of peace."
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