Christmas: World lights up despite pandemic

Big teddy bears lay lined up on tram seats in Osijek, Croatia, ahead of Christmas, to encourage people to maintain social distancing. The Osijek tram is famed for its Christmas fairy tale experience, which was moved online this year.

Churches in Iran remained empty as only priests offered prayers, which were broadcast to the public. Christmas celebrations in Iran last from December 24 to January 5, as Assyrian Christians celebrate Christmas on December 24, while Armenian Christians acknowledge January 5 as the birth of Jesus Christ.

The annual Christmas Ride in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was held as always this year. The city's motorcyclists participate in a parade, which ends in sending gifts to children in orphanages. However, there was a small change this year — they were not able to visit in person due to coronavirus restrictions.

Venezuela is currently reeling from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The country's president, Nicolas Maduro, lifted quarantine measures in December, claiming that coronavirus cases have significantly dropped. This led to a flood of people to Christmas markets ahead of the celebration.

Churches in Canada held socially distanced holy communion services on Christmas Eve, as the country looks to return to normalcy. On Christmas morning, the first doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine were due to arrive in Canada, part of the 40 million doses the country has ordered from Moderna.

Christmas celebrations in Germany took a hit after the country went into a hard lockdown till December 26. The lockdown has particularly affected the country's famed Christmas markets. Bars and restaurants are closed, while banks are open.

The US welcomed Christmas on a positive note as its population began to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, bringing back a sense of normalcy. However, US President Donald Trump dealt the country a blow by leaving all work behind as he heading to his holiday home in Florida, putting a massive coronavirus relief bill in the lurch.

With over 10 million cases of the coronavirus, India is struggling to contain the spread, even as the economy opens up and more people head outside their homes. Certain parts of India are celebrating Christmas this year, amid calls from some politicians to impose a hard lockdown to force people to stay indoors.

The traditional midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, was closed to the general public amid a coronavirus lockdown. Only clerics were permitted to attend.

The choir at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris reconvened for the first time since a devastating fire almost destroyed the cathedral last year. The choir members stood socially distanced from each other for a Christmas eve concert.

Santa Claus chose to go online in most parts of Europe this year. In Spain, artists Hector Fuentes and Pilar Carrion dressed up as Santa and an elf, respectively, to record a personalized video message for children.

The 16 bronze children surrounding the Nilen statue in Copenhagen were decorated with face masks this year, along with their annual decoration of red elves hats.

A school in Bangkok sent an elephant dressed up as Santa Claus to distribute face masks to children to spread awareness about the coronavirus.

Midnight Mass celebrations were canceled in Slovenia this year, while people were allowed to be physically present at Mass in some cities. Most events were moved online, but Christmas light displays were turned on in several cities.

Christmas celebrations in Lithuania took a hit this year owing to a hard lockdown, which restricted movement. Most shops, except for those selling food, are closed in the country. Christmas lights across the country were turned off for an hour on Wednesday to honor those who had succumbed to the coronavirus.

Pope Francis organized a small Christmas Eve Mass owing to the pandemic regulations. The Mass was celebrated in a smaller rear section of St. Peter's Basilica, and began two hours earlier to enable those attending to be back home before the 10 pm curfew.