Christmas is being celebrated worldwide with much pomp, gaiety and devotion with markets and churches glittering and households preparing special dishes for the day.

Across the world, Christians began marking Christmas with services, with Pope Francis holding midnight mass at the Vatican.

Pope Francis in his Christmas eve mass urged the world not to ignore the plight of millions of migrants who are “driven from their land”.

Thousands of tourists and devouts arrived in the holy city of Bethlehem, the West Bank town where it is believed that Jesus was born, for prayers and other Christmas celebrations.

Christmas marks the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated across the world on 25th December.

Celebrations across the globe are marked by cakes, candles, Christmas trees, exchange of gifts and the young and old singing carols.

The festive spirit is also very high across the nation.