In Pictures | Christmas 2024: World unites in love, joy and festive splendor

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Christmas 2024 has lit up India and across the world with vibrant celebrations, displaying the spirit of love, unity and joy. Cities all over India were beautifully decked up with lights, creating a festive aura for the occasion. Churches and markets were illuminated with stunning decorations including stars and candles. From the twinkling streets of New York city to the traditional birth scene of Jesus Christ in Rome, the world sparkles with festive joy. The spirit of the celebration was visible everywhere, with communities coming together to mark the joyous festival. The magical atmosphere is drawing a large crowd for prayer and celebration. Markets were full of activity as people were shopping for Christmas gifts for their loved ones and were buying stuff for their Christmas treats. This photo gallery showcases unique traditions practiced across the globe during this cherished holiday season. 

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A devotee touches the statue of baby Jesus during the Christmas mass at St. Nicholas church in the Croatian minority town, in Janjevo, Kosovo December 25, 2024. (Photo source: Reuters)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers during Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, in New Delhi, Monday, December. 23, 2024. (Photo source: PTI)

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The statue of baby Jesus is placed at a nativity scene at St. Nicholas church in the Croatian minority town, in Janjevo, Kosovo (Photo source: Reuters)

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during midnight prayers at a church to celebrate Christmas, in Kolkata. (Photo source: PTI)

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In this photo, Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican. (Photo source: AP/PTI)

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Fireworks illuminate the St. Nicholas church after the Christmas mass in the Croatian minority town, in Janjevo, Kosovo. (Photo source: Reuters)

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Christian faithful of the Legio Maria African Mission church hold candles as they attend the Christmas Eve vigil mass at their church in the Fort Jesus area of Nairobi, Kenya, December 25, 200024. (Photo source: Reuters)

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Syrian citizens gather outside Saydnaya Convent during the lighting of the Christmas tree, in Saydnaya town on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. (Photo source: AP/PTI)

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A man dressed as Santa stands in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in Manhattan in New York City, US, December 24, 2024. (Photo source: Reuters)

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Catholic believers stand in front of the Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus at Christmas, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo source: Reuters)

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A boy stands at the courtyard of St. Antuan Catholic Church on Christmas Eve in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo source: Reuters)

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People take pictures of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in Manhattan in New York City, US. (Photo source: Reuters)

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People gather around a Christmas tree in Kuwait City. (Photo source: Reuters)

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In this photo provided by Vatican Media, Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican. (Photo source: AP/PTI)

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Iraqi Christians attend a mass on Christmas Eve at Mar Behnam and Sarah Syriac Catholic Church in Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq. (Photo source: Reuters)

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People attend a mass from St. Peter’s Square to mark the opening of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, at the Vatican. (Photo source: Reuters)

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Children stand outside the Holy Family Church on Christmas Eve, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza City. (Photo source: Reuters)

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A man walks next to a car parked in front of a private residence decorated for Christmas with some 57,900 LED lightbulbs on its facade in Mosta, Malta. (Photo source: Reuters)

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Catholics attend a mass during Christmas celebrations at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, ahead of the 20th anniversary of Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, in Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia. (Photo source: Reuters)