For many, Christmas celebrated on Dec. 25 across the globe is a time of gift exchanges, partaking in traditional sweets and cakes and dinner outings. From Christmas Eve mass, to festive caroling and the Pope’s message in Rome to celebrations of brotherhood in Bethlehem and all around the world, the holiday season, Tis a season of cheers and festivity, is under way. One of the most holy days in Christianity, the day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Festivities began a day ahead with the city of Bethlehem, also believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, gearing up for season’s festivities that see a Scout marching band parading during Christmas celebrations through the Manger Square, across from the Church of the Nativity Pope Francis, in his yearly Christmas message, has said the world is suffering from a “famine of peace”, from the Vatican. He called for an end to the “senseless war” in Ukraine, condemning what he said was the use of “food as a weapon” of war. Ukraine shipped about 30% of the world’s wheat and prices have jumped since the Russian invasion in February. It was Pope Francis’ 10th Christmas Day address since he assumed the papacy. While the war in Ukraine occupied much of his 10-minute speech, he remarked that “a grave famine of peace also in other regions and other theaters of this Third World War”. He singled out conflicts and humanitarian crises in the Middle East, Myanmar, Haiti, and the Sahel region of Africa. The pontiff also prayed for “reconciliation” in Iran, where mass anti-government protests have swept the country for more than three months. The protests there have been met by a crackdown, with more than 500 people, including 69 children, killed, human rights groups say. The number of Christians around the world who followed the Vatican’s Christmas celebrations is increasing thanks to digital technologies and sign language services allowing for even wider participation. The festivities in the Gulf States reverberated the spirit of brotherhood with Christians celebrating with prayers and festive decorations. The ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia have opened the door to these festivities by calling for tolerance towards other religions and cultures. Today, shops, hotels and malls share the people’s joy and spirit of brotherhood. Gulf countries — Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait — are primarily Islamic countries with a high population of expatriates. In the last two decades, tourism in the region has skyrocketed allowing for year long vacationing with UAE and Saudi Arabia turning into a prime touristic destination. As tourism becomes more developed in the region, the Gulf States have become more receptive about the celebration of Christmas with a growing expat Christian population. The Christmas break has become a popular time for visiting the Gulf region and thus becoming the season of cheer. Celebrating Christmas at hotels and enjoying the offer at the malls become the prime activity in this holiday season. While many celebrate the holiday to honor Jesus’s birth, it has also become a worldwide cultural holiday and is often celebrated by non-Christians alike. While Protestants and Catholics celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, a lot of countries and religious sectors may choose to embrace the festive period on a different day, this is in accordance with the Julian calendar.The Christmas celebrations are long and festive over a longer period of time on overwhelmingly large Catholic population, especially like Philippines, Nigeria and Western countries. In fact, the “Christmas Season” in the Philippines lasts longer than in any other part of the world, with the festivities starting as early as September. Christmas celebrations include spending time with the family, decorating the house inside and out and shopping also for friends and relatives. Spending Christmas with the family is very important. The children love to see each other and spend the day playing games and sharing their new gifts and toys that Santa Claus brought for each of them. — Agencies