Christmas celebrations held worldwide

People around the world have gathered to celebrate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ with holiday traditions as unique as the countries they are from.

The most spectacular holiday traditions from around the world are held in countries such as Finland, Croatia, Mexico, Russia, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States, among others.

For instance, Croatians release thousands of paper lanterns carrying their Christmas hopes and wishes into the sky a few days before the holiday.

In the United States, Americans send greeting cards, sing carols, give gifts, and get pictures taken with Santa Claus as part of the holiday season.

A sizebale minority group of Christians live in Iran. They freely hold their religious rites and celeberations in the country. Over centuries, Iranian Christians have lived with other Iranians in harmony and peace.

AI/AG