This document contains various images and articles related to Christmas celebrations around the world. It shows Christmas traditions in many countries and cultures, from decorating trees in Germany, Russia and the Vatican to celebrations among Christians in Pakistan and Bahrain. It also highlights how some face economic hardship around Christmas, with references to people struggling in European countries and reports of over 100,000 people in Australia facing homelessness on Christmas night. The document suggests Christmas is celebrated in many forms globally and that while some celebrate with family and tradition, many lack basic necessities on Christmas.

1. http://www.shorpy.com/node/2158 Boy Toys , 1910 - Boy looking at Xmas toys in shop window in New York circa 1910. George Grantham Bain Collection.

2. is not a date in the calendar

3. is not a convention

4. is not a single tradition Christmas - XVIII century - Guitar Player. http://www.history.org/almanack/life/christmas/hist_anotherlook.cfm

5. «Men in traditional costumes fire with historical fire arms as part of the traditional Christmas Shooting in front of the Bavarian Alps near Berchtesgaden, southern Germany Saturday Dec. 18, 2010.» (AP Photo/dapd/Sebastian Widmann) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/germany-christmas-shooting_photo_1644870.htm

6. «Pakistani Christian youths decorate St. Anthony's Church for upcoming Christmas celebrations, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 in Lahore, Pakistan.» (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/pakistan-christmas_photo_1645807.htm

7. http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html Christmas in Costa Rica, Parade organized by the Chinese community to start the Cristmas celebrations at San Jose, 2010. AFP / Getty Images / Yuri Cortez

8. «Hadil, a Lebanese patient, poses with a man dressed as Santa Claus, during his visit to the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Dec. 11, 2009. The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), established in Beirut, Lebanon, is a unique regional center for the comprehensive treatment of pediatric cancer. An affiliate of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (St. Jude), the center works in close association with The American University of Beirut.» http://newshopper.sulekha.com/mideast-lebanon-santa_photo_1088244.htm

9. The Grotto of the Nativity, with the birthplace of Christ on the left and the Chapel of the Manger on the right. Photo © Damon Lynch http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-church-of-nativity-photos/slides/grotto-c-damon-lynch-pbase is not a single place

10. Pilgrims reflect at the place of Jesus' birth in the Grotto of the Nativity. Photo © Damon Lynch http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-church-of-nativity-photos/slides/grotto-reflection-c-damon-lynch-pbase

11. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/bethlehem-shepherds-fields «Beit Sahour, looking east over the Shepherds' Fields, near Bethlehem. Fertile fields identified since ancient times with the shepherds who saw the Star of Nativity. There are two rival locations, one run by the Greek Orthodox and the other by the Franciscans.» Photo by Tamer Shabaneh is not only one moment in History Bethlehem

12. Nigerian Christian pilgrims pray at the Saint Gerolamus cave in the Church of the Nativity. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/24/christmas-in-bethlehem-fe_n_153409.html is not a single faith

13. A Palestinian child watches a music parade near the Church of Nativity. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/24/christmas-in-bethlehem-fe_n_153409.html has no frontiers

14. http://www.shorpy.com/node/5159 A Captive Christmas , 1919 - December 1919. Christmas tree at the District Jail, Washington, D.C., and some of the prisoners. National Photo Co. Collection.

15. is not a single colour www.freeholidaywallpapers.blogspot.com Christmas dog

16. http://heart-2heart.blogspot.com/2006/11/christmas-for-poor.html

17. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/education_for_poor_children/

18. Christmas in Bethlehem, Israel. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/24/christmas-in-bethlehem-fe_n_153409.html

19. Little Sisters of the Poor Christmas Party 2007 has no age

20. is not the show of lights www.webshots.com Red Christmas Tree Ornaments, New York.

21. www.webshots.com

22. http://www.poormojo.org/pmjadaily/archives/022872.php The Birth of Christmas - by Mark Velasquez Photography is not the (number of) gifts

23. money money money money money money money money money money money money Now!

24. is not a trick of magic

25. «An unidentified Bahraini boy plays ball Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, at a desert camp site in Sakhir, Bahrain, decorated with inflatable Santa figures and a flag of Bahrain. During winter months, thousands of Bahrainis set up seasonal camps in the tiny Persian Gulf island nation's desert oil fields for weekend fun. Bahrain is predominately Muslim, but it isn't unusual to see Christmas decorations brightening stores, hotels and even camp sites.» (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/mideast-bahrain-christmas_photo_1087364.htm There is Christmas almost everywhere.

27. «An unidentified man decorates a Christmas tree at a camp site Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009, in the Sakhir, Bahrain, desert. During winter months, thousands of Bahrainis set up seasonal camps in the desert oil fields for weekend fun. The Persian Gulf island nation is predominately Muslim, but it isn't unusual to see Christmas decorations brightening stores, hotels and even camp sites.» (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/mideast-bahrain-christmas_photo_1087314.htm

28. «A diver dressed as Santa Claus swims inside an aquarium at a shopping mall as part as Christmas celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand Friday, Dec. 17, 2010.» (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/thailand-santa-claus_photo_1643533.htm

29. Santa Claus Village, Finland.

30. Bondi Beach, Australia.

31. «Two Emirate men look to a Christmas tree which has been decked out with dollars 11 million U.S. (14.3 million euro) worth of gold, at the Emirates Palace hotel, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday Dec. 16, 2010.» http://newshopper.sulekha.com/emirates-christmas-tree_photo_1642444.htm

32. «The Christmas tree in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican, was lit for the first time Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. The 30-meter-high (100-foot) tree comes from the woods on the slopes of a valley in the South Tyrol, Italy's German-Italian speaking region in the north. Rows of gold and white lights drape the tree like elegant necklaces.» (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/vatican-christmas-tree_photo_1643969.htm

33. Christmas tree in Salerno, Italy. http://www.arvoredenatal.net/natal/arvores-de-natal

34. http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html Christmas in Washington, USA, 2010.

35. Christmas in Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral, by Bruno Monginoux, Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/23479835@N00/320802637/

36. http://blog.brillianttrips.com/2009/12/unique-christmas-trees-from-around-the-world/ O'Connell Street Christmas Tree in Dublin, Ireland.

37. Pac Man Christmas Tree in Madrid, Spain. http://blog.brillianttrips.com/2009/12/unique-christmas-trees-from-around-the-world/

38. «An illumination resembling a Christmas tree set at the monument to St. George at the Freedom Square in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010.» (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/georgia-christmas-illumination_photo_1625945.htm

39. «A Christmas tree is installed on Red Square with St. Basil Cathedral and Kremlin's Spassky Tower, right, in the background, in Moscow, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010. Russia was announced as host of the 2018 tournament.» (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/russia_photo_1625912.htm

40. «A Christmas tree stands in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin with the quadriga statue on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010.» (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/germany-christmas_photo_1624475.htm

41. «Shoppers crowd in front of a Christmas souvenir shop, set up in a Muslim neighborhood of Bangalore, India, Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. Christians in India make up just over 2 percent of its 1 billion population.» (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/india-christmas_photo_1646614.htm

42. «Fireworks light the sky above at Christmas tree during a lighting up ceremony at Cathedral square in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010.» (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/lithuania-christmas-tree_photo_1637154.htm

43. «People look at a Christmas tree at Mirador de Laikacota in La Paz, Bolivia, Sunday Dec. 5, 2010. Measuring more than 80 feet, the tree can be seen from anywhere in this Andean city.» (AP Photo/Juan Karita) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/bolivia-christmas-tree_photo_1630658.htm

44. «Fireworks explode over a floating Christmas tree as it is lighted for the holiday season in Lagoa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010.» (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/brazil-christmas-tree-lighting_photo_1628746.htm

45. Christmas Tree next to the Mohamed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Lebanon. http://blog.brillianttrips.com/2009/12/unique-christmas-trees-from-around-the-world/

46. Christmas in London, England, 2010. Getty Images - Dan Kitwood. http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html

47. Christmas in Netherlands, Dona Nobis Pacem - « The building on this picture is the Peace Palace located in the World Capital of Justice, the Hague, the Netherlands. by Pieter Musterd, Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/90794078@N00/3125391405

48. Christmas in Beijing, China, 2010. http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html

49. Christmas in Manila, Philippines, 2010. http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html

50. Christmas at Lisbon, Portugal.

51. http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/kinshou_78/article?mid=4046&fid=-1&action=next Christmas at Lisbon, Portugal.

52. «In this picture taken on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, Athenians buy Christmas items offered by a central Athens store at 70 percent discount. Greece is one of several European countries facing pay-cuts, price increases and rapidly rising unemployment ahead of Christmas, with many store owners struggling to stay in business.» (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/greece-europe-bleak-christmas_photo_1646628.htm Some are getting through hard times

53. «Christmas decorations are displayed in a store as people queue outside an unemployment registry office in Madrid on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010. The number of people filing claims for unemployment benefits rose for a fourth consecutive month in November by 24,318 for a rounded total of 4.1 million people receiving payments.» (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/spain-financial-crisis_photo_1625347.htm

54. «In this photo taken on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, Christmas candy is seen in a shop window in central Rome. This Christmas, Europeans are hunkering down to an uncertain future, as a debt crisis that erupted two years ago in Greece flares anew in Ireland, and has quickly threatened to engulf Portugal, Spain, and Italy.» (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/italy-europe-bleak-christmas_photo_1646625.htm

55. «In this photo taken on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, a woman passes by a Christmas candy store, in Milan, Italy. This Christmas, Europeans are hunkering down to an uncertain future, as a debt crisis that erupted two years ago in Greece flares anew in Ireland, and has quickly threatened to engulf Portugal, Spain, and Italy.» (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/italy-europe-bleak-christmas_photo_1646643.htm

56. «Local residents view the vandalized Glastonbury Holy Thorn Tree which has was hacked down and reduced to just a stump in Glastobury western England Friday Dec. 10, 2010. The tree, a major Christian landmark in England, was vandalized just weeks before Christmas Day. The tree is said to be linked to the arrival of Saint Joseph of Arimathea in England after the crucifixion of Jesus. It draws hundreds of visitors each year.» (AP Photo/Fran Stothard- Western Morning News) U.K. http://newshopper.sulekha.com/britain-holy-tree_photo_1635720.htm

57. «Pakistani boys decorate an alley in preparation for Christmas, in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.» (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/pakistan-christmas_photo_1646620.htm Some have an artless

58. «Foreign inmates of the Santa Monica female prison walk holding traditional dishes from their countries during a Christmas gastronomic festival in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. According to Peru's National Penitentiary Institute, INPE, 16% of Santa Monica's inmates are foreigners, many who are there on drug trafficking related charges.» (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/peru-prison-christmas-festival_photo_1640572.htm

59. Poor Kids, Holbav - via www.poor-kids.blogspot.com Many... have no Christmas at all.

60. http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.10.JudyMoriarty.htm

61. Christmas, Kenya . http://wangui.instablogs.com/entry/as-kenyans-mark-christmas-idps-continue-to-suffer-in-camps/

62. A Piss Poor Christmas , photography by CinemaCowgirl - Lauren Bentley.

63. Gae La Rocca -Zanni, Christmas Postcard, Italy, 2007.

64. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/26/2127425.htm «About 100,000 people across Australia face the prospect of sleeping rough on Christmas night.»

65. «In this photo taken on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, a beggar asks for coins near an open air Christmas market in Milan, Italy. This Christmas, Europeans are hunkering down to an uncertain future, as a debt crisis that erupted two years ago in Greece flares anew in Ireland, and has quickly threatened to engulf Portugal, Spain, and Italy.» (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/italy-europe-bleak-christmas_photo_1646630.htm

66. Savas Kazantzides, Poor Santa Claus - The Sad Image of a Hopeless Christmas, India, 2007 - www.trekearth.com

67. ©Sam Javanrouh http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.10.JudyMoriarty.htm Homeless, USA.

68. Agency: McCann, Portugal Copywriter: Fabio Seidl Art Director: Diogo Mello, William Silva Creative Director: Diogo Anahory, José Bomtempo Photography: Krypton Studio «Help so that no one finds his Christmas Supper here.» http://adsoftheworld.com/media/ambient/vitae_homeless_shelter_trash_bin http://www.adrants.com/2007/01/homeless-ads-peer-out-of-portuguese-trash.php

69. «An Indian beggar and his child sit wrapped in woolens on a cold morning at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010.» (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/india-winter_photo_1639747.htm

70. Russell Lee, A Poor Diet , 1936 - December 1936 - Christmas dinner in home of Earl Pauley near Smithfield , Iowa. Dinner consisted of potatoes, cabbage and pie. http://www.shorpy.com/node/876

71. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/20/2123548.htm «Four years ago, charities like Oxfam and Christian Aid re-energised festive fundraising by encouraging people to give goats and other livestock in friends' and loved ones' names.» Reuters: Fredrik Dahl Some need more than what can be bought in a shopping center

72. Christmas, New York. www.webshots.com

73. www.webshots.com

74. ©Uli Hegge, Flickr.- Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ulihh/3148611126/sizes/l/in/photostream/

75. «A Russian pilgrim passes through a ray of light inside the Church of the Nativity, where many Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Tourists from all over the world are expected to flock to Jesus' traditional birthplace to celebrate the Christmas holiday this month.» (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/aptopix-mideast-israel-palestinians_photo_1639967.htm

76. © Gideon Mendel/CORBIS Charity Worker Comforting Homeless Woman at Christmas A volunteer comforts a homeless woman at a Crisis at Christmas shelter, which provides seven days of shelter for the homeless in London, 1994.

77. © Gideon Mendel/CORBIS Homeless Receiving Medical Care at Crisis at Christmas Charity An elderly homeless man gets his injured feet washed and treated at a Crisis at Christmas shelter, which provides seven days of shelter for the homeless in London, 1994.

78. A special visitor at Blank Children's Hospital. http://blog.iowahospital.org/2009/12/23/christmas-at-iowas-hospitals/ http://www.nba.com/hawks/community/Christmas_Visit_122104.html Hawks head coach Mike Woodson demonstrates his artistic side with a young patient during the hospital visit. The treasure of health would be the most precious...

79. Merry Christmas - www.projectrice.org phot. by Paul James.

80. Gifts for a poor family at Christmas - www.missieovergrenzen.be Solidarity and good actions are not demagogy.

81. Mauricio Fernandes stands next to a Christmas tree in the "Solidarity Window" of his flower shop Thursday, Dec. 16 2010, in Lisbon. In the shop window, a sign invites people to leave donations of food and clothes that the parish council will distribute among the poorest people of the neighborhood ahead of Christmas. Despite the shop being located in an upmarket shopping street, Fernandes believes there are plenty of residents in the parish that could benefit from his initiative. (AP Photo) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/portugal-financial-crisis-christmas_photo_1642801.htm There is always a way to help those in need

82. «Tiny orphaned hedgehogs are safe and sound this Christmas after being saved from the freezing cold.» http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/3917248/Baby-hedgehogs-saved-from-a-homeless-Christmas.html Whoever they are

83. «Voluntary workers, dressed in Santa Claus outfits, wave as a total of 230 people launch an event to visit and give Christmas gifts to prematurely born babies in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010.» (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) http://newshopper.sulekha.com/south-korea-christmas_photo_1625185.htm

84. © Gideon Mendel/CORBIS Singer Boy George Visiting Crisis at Christmas Charity, 1994. Let's make a little Christmas for those who can't have Christmas

85. Muenchner Tafel Cares For Poor People «MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 21: Eight years old Ramona shows a wrapped Christmas present, which was delivered during a soup kitchen by charitable society Muenchner Tafel on December 21, 2007 in Munich, Germany. The Muenchner Tafel offers warm meal for low-income and homeless individuals contracting with supermarkets, stores and a variety of companies to provide meals to their clients.» http://www.life.com/image/78603472

86. Panchaud Marc, Vie de Chat ou Vie de Chien? France, 2010.

87. BANK OF FOOD AGAINST HUNGER PORTUGAL. http://bancoalimentar.pt/ FOOD BANKS AGAINST HUNGER RAISES OVER 3,250 TONS OF FOOD IN TWO DAYS Food Banks Against Hunger collected in Portugal this week-end a total of more than 3,250 tons of food in the campaign that took place in more than 1,147 commercial surfaces in the areas of Abrantes, Aveiro, Braga, Coimbra, Cova da Beira, Évora and Beja, Leiria-Fátima, Lisbon, West, Portalegre, Porto, Santarém, Setúbal, S. Miguel, Viana do Castelo, Viseu, and for the first time in the Third Island (Azores). The amount collected now compared with the 2,490 tonnes collected in December 2009, represents an increase over 30%, which is an absolute record since these campaigns are carried out in Portugal. Also the number of volunteers involved, exceeding 30 000, had never been achieved in previous occasions, finding this volunteer operation no parallel in our country. December 2010 Next Campaign: 28 and 29 May 2011 The next Food Collection Campaign held at supermarkets in 28 and 29 May 2011. We count on you.

88. Christmas Night in the Magic House.

89. TITLE: THERE IS NO CHRISTMAS WITHOUT CHRISTMAS IMAGES: http://www.shorpy.com ; http://www.history.org/almanack/life/christmas/hist_anotherlook.cfm ; http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html ; http://www.sacred-destinations.com ; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/24/christmas-in-bethlehem-fe_n_153409.html ; www.freeholidaywallpapers.blogspot.com ; http://heart-2heart.blogspot.com/2006/11/christmas-for-poor.html ; http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/education_for_poor_children/ ; www.webshots.com ; http://www.poormojo.org/pmjadaily/archives/022872.php ; http://www.arvoredenatal.net/natal/arvores-de-natal ; http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html ; http://www.flickr.com/photos/23479835@N00/320802637/ ; http://blog.brillianttrips.com/2009/12/unique-christmas-trees-from-around-the-world ; http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/12/christmas-lights-illuminate-th.html ; http://www.flickr.com/photos/90794078@N00/3125391405 ; www.poor-kids.blogspot.com ; http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/kinshou_78/article?mid=4046&fid=-1&action=next ; www.trekearth.com ; http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.10.JudyMoriarty.htm ; http://wangui.instablogs.com/entry/as-kenyans-mark-christmas-idps-continue-to-suffer-in-camps/ ; www.corbis.com ; www.projectrice.org ; http://www.flickr.com/photos/ulihh/3148611126/sizes/l/in/photostream/; http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/26/2127425.htm ; www.missieovergrenzen.be ; http://www.life.com/image/78603472 ; TEXT: Suy / São Ludovino and some of the same sites of the images. MUSIC Source: CD from my personal archive. Slide 1 to 89: Mahalia Jackson , Silent Night , from the album White Christmas , 1994. Slideshare verson – Remix version: http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=5452430&song=Silent+Night+Remix DURATION: about 5:06 minutes. DATE: December 2010. SELECTION, ORGANIZATION AND EFFECTS: Suy (Conceição Ludovino). Suy © 2010 TECHNICAL DATA / CREDITS