From skiing Santas in the US to ceremonial Mass with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, Christmas celebrations unfold with vibrant diversity across the globe. Crowds gather in places as varied as London, where giant cuts of meat are thrown into cheering crowds, to Kyiv and Beijing, where worshippers commemorate the sacredness of the holiday season.
In Ukraine and other countries, festive masses and family gatherings fill the air with warmth and joy. Although most Christians observe Christmas on December 25, many Orthodox Christians reserve their celebrations for January 7, adhering to the Julian calendar.
This year, the world rejoices in holiday cheer through images that depict joyous moments—from a woman lighting a candle at a church service in Ukraine to families posing in front of the famed Christmas tree in Bethlehem, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Each celebration, whether it features police officers dressed in festive gear delivering gifts in Peru or fishermen in Chile dressed as Santa and the Grinch, illustrates the creativity and joy that the Christmas season inspires worldwide.
In addition to traditional festivities, modern interpretations like surfing Santas at Bondi Beach in Australia and heartfelt gatherings in sacred places remind us of the universal spirit of love, community, and hope that this season embodies.
As we journey through different cultures, we celebrate not only the joy of giving and gathering but also the collective hope and shared humanity that mark this special time of year.
