Holiday Spirit Grows Globally

THUNDER BAY – Around the globe people prepare for the Christmas holiday season with Pope Frances at the Vatican offering wishes for a truly Christian Christmas of joy, hope and fraternity.

In war-torn Syria, Christians in Damascus prepare treats for the holiday, while in Russia parts of Moscow’s Red Square are decked out for the season as children enjoy festive merry-go-round rides.

In Europe, Germany’s famous Dresden Christmas Market is up and running for the season with children enjoying the traditional German holiday cake Stolen.

The ceremonially launch of the Christmas season came late last month, when Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custodian of the Holy Land, arrived at the Nativity Church revered as Jesus’ birthplace, to offer prayers and support.

In Krakow, Poland, ingenious and intricate towers and cathedrals fill the central square as the annual nativity scene competition takes place.

Video by Reuters