It's time again to say Merry Christmas!

Christmas marks the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

In the Vatican city, Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Wednesday.

He started the mass only after placing a phone call to Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants.

Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them, reports said.

"May we try to listen and be silent in order to make space for the beauty of God," Pope Francis tweeted.

The day belongs to the Christian community but with the aid of fast paced globalisation, the festive spirit has engulfed the entire world and people belonging from different religion bask in the celebration of Christmas.

The Christian community makes it a point to pray at churches while for others it is a day for simply merriment.

With houses and shops have been decorated beautifully with Christmas trees, ribbons and bells, Christmas fever has surely gripped every corner of the globe on Thursday.

As a part of Christmas celebration, large number of people have gathered in the biblical town of Bethlehem.

In India, people are celebrating Christmas across the country and Christians are attending special church services to mark the occasion.

Almost every city in India is adorned with lights to bring in the flavour of the festive season which will continue till the New Year ushers in.

In Kolkata, the aroma of home-baked cakes wafted through the narrow lanes of Anglo-Indian ghettos of central Kolkata as the non-Christians joined the party with as much enthusiasm as the Christians.

Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity (MoC), is celebrating the day with special prayers and mass.

Decorated beautifully with garlands of light, Christmas tress and colourful bells, Park Street, the sunset boulevard of Kolkata, will remain awake for the whole night as more and more people are expected to assemble here to be a part of the festivity.

For the pious day, people throng in large number to the St. Paul's Cathedral in Kolkata or the Bandel Church on the outskirts of the city for midnight mass.

The day is also one for hitting the outdoors and organizing picnics while long queues were usual scenes at the city's zoo.

As food in an integral part of any kind of celebration in Kolkata, long queues were spotted out restaurants in the city.

Popular search engine Google has wished its users with a beautiful Doodle on it homepage with several animated characters depicting the marryment of the festive season. The Doodle has been titled 'Tis the season!'

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wished the nation on the occasion, tweeting: "Merry Christmas to everyone around the world. May this day enhance the spirit of harmony, peace & brotherhood in society."

Earlier President Pranab Mukherjee greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas.

In his message, the President on Wednesday said, “On the joyous occasion of Christmas, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens, especially our Christian brothers and sisters. I wish everyone a merry Christmas."

"As we light the candles for Christmas this year, let us rekindle in our minds and hearts the teachings of love and compassion of Lord Jesus Christ. May the spirit of caring and sharing pervade our beings. Let us on this day resolve to apply the divine teachings of Lord Jesus in our daily lives. Let us strive ceaselessly for peace on earth and goodwill among men," said he.

Vice President M. Hamid Ansari also conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to all citizens on the auspicious occasion of Christmas.

In his message, he has said: “I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to all our citizens on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. As we celebrate the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ, let us commit ourselves to his noble message of peaceful coexistence, universal brotherhood and love and compassion for all."

"May the festival bring peace, prosperity and happiness for all," he added.

Eaxternal Affairs Minster Sushma Swaraj ‏posted: "Merry Christmas."

Union HRD Minister Smriti Z Irani wished all saying: "Wishing peace, joy, and all the best the holiday has to offer Merry Christmas to all."

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje ‏tweeted: "May this festival of miracles bring warmth, peace and joy to all. Merry Christmas!"

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan ‏tweeted: "May the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts with compassion and usher in peace & harmony. Merry Christmas to all."

Legendary singer Asha Bhonsle also wished netizens on the occasion.

Social activist Kiran Bedi ‏posted: "Celebrating XMas with youth of 60 villages of Sohna by Cyclothon! Beat the chill by generating human warmth and endurance!Shall send pics!"

Director Madhur Bhandarkar ‏tweeted: "May this Christmas fill your hearts with warmth, peace and joy! Have a Holy and a Blessed Christmas!"

Actor Abhishek Bachchan also wished 'Merry Christmas" to his fans on Twitter.

Image: Wikipedia Creative Commons