In pictures: Christmas around the world

More than a billion Christians around the world are celebrating the festival of Christmas. Here is a selection of pictures marking the occasion.

Image source, EPA

Image caption, A worshipper lights a candle during Mass at the St Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, American soldiers pose for a selfie during Christmas lunch at forward operating base Gamberi in Afghanistan

Image source, AFP

Image caption, An alpaca is used for enticing shoppers in Beijing, China, where Christmas was once banned

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Thousands of Christians hold candles during a mass in Surabaya, Indonesia, which is also the most populous Muslim country in the world

Image source, EPA

Image caption, Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, Fouad Twal, carries a model of a baby Jesus during Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Image source, AP

Image caption, An Indian Christian holds a crucifix at St Mary's Garrison church in Jammu, northern India

Image source, AFP

Image caption, The Salaj family in the town of Cazma, Croatia, have turned their estate into a massive Christmas light installation featuring 1.5 million lights

Image source, EPA

Image caption, Pakistani Christians sing hymns as they celebrate Christmas at a church in Karachi

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, A sculpture featuring Father Christmas and a group of cattle is seen in New South Wales, Australia, on Christmas Day

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, A man inspects a tree in Guerrero, Mexico, which bears the names and pictures of 43 trainee teachers who went missing near there in September

Image source, AFP

Image caption, An impromptu nativity scene and tree are made using rubble in the heavily-damaged Hamedieh neighbourhood of Homs, Syria