Christmas 2013 across Asia

Around two percent of Pakistan's population of 180 million people are Christian. This year, police were on alert ahead of the biggest Christian holiday, Christmas, for fear of extremist attacks.

These Pakistani Santas did not let the growing number of headlines about religious intolerance in the South Asian country stop them from going out and having a good time.

Many people around the globe see this time of year as a time of forgiveness and reconciliation.

These German soldiers enjoy a Christmas market far from home in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

Here, a makeshift Christmas tree is decorated outside a temporary evacuation shelter in the city of Tacloban, which was devastated by Typhoon Hainan in November, in Leyte Province, Philippines.

This Santa surfer enjoys the waves off the coast of Bali, Indonesia on this Christmas Eve.

These people in China's Liaoning province are celebrating Christmas this year with an icy dip in a frozen lake.

The lights, song, cheer, gifts and goodies: Christmas around the world is probably most enjoyed by children.

Anti-government protesters in Thailand remain steadfast in their demands - even over Christmas.