Christmas celebrations around the world
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Santa Claus jumps into the sea
A competitor dressed up as Santa Claus jumps into the sea during the 103rd Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup at the Old Harbour of Barcelona on December 25, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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Lighting candles in New Delhi
Young boys and girls lighting candles at Sacred Heart Cathedral church on the occasion of Christmas on December 25, 2012 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arijit Sen/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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Santa Claus skates
A man dressed as Santa Claus skates with a girl at the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink on Christmas Eve on December 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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Hundreds of people brave the North Sea
Hundreds of people brave the North Sea to raise money for charity during the annual Christmas Day dip at Lowestoft Beach on December 25, 2012 in Lowestoft, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
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Queen Elizabeth II records her Christmas message
Queen Elizabeth II records her Christmas message to the Commonwealth in 3D for the first time from the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace on December 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he delivers his Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on December 25, 2012 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
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Santas ride Harleys
People dressed as Santa Claus ride Harley on a road to send greetings to other people on December 24, 2012 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup
Competitors in Christmas dress prior to the 103rd Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup at the Old Harbour of Barcelona on December 25, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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Christmas Carnival
Children dressed as Santa Claus, participate during the Christmas Carnival special X-Mas parade at The Great India Place (TGIP) at Sector 38A on December 25, 2012 in Noida, India. (Photo by Burhaan Kinu/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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Rockefeller Center ice skating rink
People skate beneath the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink on Christmas Eve on December 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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Swiss Guards
Swiss Guards perform ceremonial duties during the Christmas Day message 'urbi et orbi' blessing (to the city and to the world) delivered by Pope Benedict XVI from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
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Bondi Beach
Maddy Swain from England sits inside a hole she has dug for herself at Bondi Beach on December 25, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Traditionally beaches such as Bondi Beach are popular destinations for Christmas Day. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
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Santas dance 'Gangnam Style'
People dressed as Santa Claus dance 'Gangnam Style' on Christmas Eve in Wuhan, China. The holiday is becoming increasingly popular as Chinese adopt more Western ideas and festivals. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)





