Christians around the world are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, amid concerns about possible new terrorist attacks.
In Asia, Christmas Day arrived with extra security around churches and other places where Westerners are known to gather. Foreign embassies issued warnings for their nationals to avoid public places during the holiday.
Hundreds of extra Indonesian police and soldiers were deployed around the country, including around the main Roman Catholic cathedral in Jakarta. Some ministers installed metal detectors to check worshippers before they entered their churches.
With memories of the terrorist bombing on the island of Bali still fresh in people's minds, Indonesian authorities said they were taking no chances over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
In the Philippines -- Asia's largest Roman Catholic nation -- people were being searched by security forces at shopping malls and other public places. Singapore authorities erected barricades around a popular outdoor eating center that usually attracts large crowds.
In China's bustling capitalist enclave of Hong Kong, police were keeping a close watch on Christmas festivities.