2011 Photos of the Year: Christmas (26 images)

An Iranian shopkeeper wraps a miniature statue of Santa Claus in a holiday gift shop in Tehran, Iran on December 18, 2011. UPI/Maryam Rahmanian.

A Chinese security guard stands next to row of pine trees decorated with Christmas ornaments in Beijing December 24, 2011. China is increasingly adopting and celebrating many international, especially American, holidays and festivals. UPI/Stephen Shaver

A Chinese man assembles an artificial Christmas tree at a clothing bazaar near the U.S. embassy in Beijing December 23, 2011. Christmas in China is typically celebrated for two of the country's favorite pastimes - eating and shopping. Although Christmas is not a traditional Chinese holiday, the brightly-colored lights of the holiday are attracting a growing number of Chinese fans. UPI/Stephen Shaver

Pope Benedict XVI delivers the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, on December 25, 2011. In his traditional Christmas Day message, Pope Benedict XVI urged the faithful to seek a "spiritual union" with the less fortunate around the world. UPI/Stefano Spaziani