Picture gallery: Christmas around the world

Christians across the world are holding celebrations to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. From Calcutta to Minsk, from London to Winnipeg, people have been finding their own special way to enjoy the festive season.

Two Indian Christians ride on camels during a procession in Amritsar, northern India

A man dressed as Santa Claus distributes sweets to street children in Calcutta

Doug Bowes and his two daughters carry a tree to his parents' house in Winnipeg

An armed Palestinian policeman guards the entrance of the Church of the Nativity...

...as Japanese dancers perform in Bethlehem Manger Square

Children kneel during a Christmas Eve church service in Minsk

Santa Claus entertains Chinese twins in a Hong Kong shopping centre

An ethnic Albanian boy enjoys Christmas in Yugoslavia with German soldiers

Father Sharma puts a statue of Jesus Christ in a manger in Kathmandu

Homeless charity Crisis opened a huge bingo hall in London to shelter people over Christmas