Pics: World celebrates Christmas, Santa brings gifts again

In this era of globalisation, Christmas has become a festival which is celebrated by everyone and everywhere of this world. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season.

Santa Clause, a figure with legendary, mythical, historical and folkloric origins, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24. In this season of holiday, OneIndia wishes all its readers Merry Christmas!

Santa wishes Merry Christmas

A man disguised as Santa Claus greets his dog in Mexico City, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.

The Ambanis celebrate Christmas in Mumbai

Nita Ambani and her daughter Isha celebrate Christmas with underprivileged children in Mumbai on Monday.

A Christmas message for Sachin Tendulkar

Students in Santa Claus dress hold a placard paying respect to cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as they celebrate Christmas at a school in Moradabad on Monday.

Christmas celebration: The Santas in school

Students attend their classes in Santa Claus dress to celebrate Christmas at a school in Gurgaon on Monday.

Christmas celebration in Delhi

People light candles outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral on the eve of Christmas in New Delhi on Monday.

Kids join parents during Christmas prayer

People light candles outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral on the eve of Christmas in New Delhi on Monday.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrate Christmas

Pope Benedict XVI holds the pastoral staff as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.

Christmas prayer in a church in Pakistan

Pakistani Christians light candles at a local church in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.

Christmas: Kids waiting for Santa

Lizzie Solano, center, and her sister Sarah take phone calls from children asking where Santa is and when he will deliver presents to their house, during the fifth annual NORAD Tracks Santa Operation, at the North American Aerospace

Christmas celebration in Iraq

Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at St. Joseph's Chaldean Church in central Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012.

Hindu devotees dressed as Santa

Hindu devotees dressed as Santa Claus offer prayers at the Sangam in Allahabad on the occasion of Chritsmas on Tuesday.

Christmas: Celebration on the bank of Ganga

Artists make a sand sculpture of Jesus Christ on the eve of Christmas festival on the bank of River Ganga in Allahabad on Monday.

Christmas celebration

An illuminated All-Saints Cathedral Church on the occasion of Chritsmas in Allahabad on Monday night.