Christmas celebrated around the world

Kyrgyz schoolchildren return home after taking part in "The Best Santa" contest in the village of Tash-Moinok, 30 kilometers (19 miles) north from the capital Bishkek, Dec. 23, 2007. Santa Claus has become more popular in the predominantly Muslim Central Asian republic and some Swedish experts insist Santa should have his home based somewhere in the mountainous ex-Soviet state because it is the only place from which he can reach on time every home on earth during the short Christmas period. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A man from Finland dressed in Santa Claus outfit poses for photos with an infant in Chongqing, southwest city of China, Dec. 23, 2007. "Santa" was invited from its "hometown" to celebrate the upcoming Chiristmas with the locals. (Xinhua Photo)

A man dressed in Santa Claus outfit poses for photos with a family in a shopping center in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 23, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

A man from Finland dressed in Santa Claus outfit celebrates Christmas with the locals in Chongqing, southwest city of China, Dec. 23, 2007.(Xinhua Photo)

A man from Finland dressed in Santa Claus outfit poses for photos with two young girls in Chongqing, southwest city of China, Dec. 23, 2007.  (Xinhua Photo)

Kyrgyz schoolchildren return home after taking part in 'The Best Santa' contest in the village of Tash-Moinok, 30 kilometers (19 miles) north from the capital Bishkek. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A man dressed as Father Frost, the local equivalent of Santa Claus, pets a reindeer as he arrives for a New Year festival for children outside the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk Dec. 23, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus rings a bell as he stands outside a shop in the West Bank city of Bethlehem Dec. 23, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A Syrian boy dressed as Santa Claus takes part in a march to celebrate Christmas in Damascus Dec. 23, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A woman and a child looks at a boy dressed as Santa Claus during a march to celebrate Christmas in Damascus Dec. 23, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A Syrian boy dressed as Santa Claus, lights a candle during a march to celebrate Christmas in Damascus Dec. 23, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)