Christmas: Midnight mass in the Gaza Strip

The town of Lielvārde in Latvia has attracted attention from social media users after images and video of its Christmas tree – decorated with swastikas – were posted online. Internet users were quick to condemn the move as "fascist" and "pro-Nazi" - but is all as it seems? We take a closer look in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.

The festive season is a time of goodwill, food, gifts — and a lot of waste. So, here's a short guide to having yourself a sustainable little Christmas.

Missiles can't stop what Ukrainian people call Magic Night, or St. Nicholas Day. This year, St. Nicholas also headed to Kyiv's train station and took a train to eastern Ukraine. Supported by UNICEF, he aims to bring joy to thousands of children in the war-torn region.

A Christmas carol by a Nazi poet loyal to the regime is still in the Protestant hymnal. Now, there is a discussion about removing the song by Hermann Claudius in the next edition.

After a pause in festivities during the coronavirus pandemic, Bethlehem — revered as the birthplace of Jesus — is ready again for its long Christmas season.

DW reporter Sarah Hucal finds out how one of the most authentic Christmas markets in the US, the Chicago Christkindlmarket, compares to its German counterparts.

Ukrainians who have fled their country in the 10 months since the Russian invasion are facing their first festive season in Germany. Many have only one Christmas wish.

Would you rather buy a plastic tree or use a real one, even if it died after the festivities?

Border control workers at six major airports have walked off their jobs ahead of the Christmas holiday, disrupting thousands of passengers. France also faces similar strike action.

In his first Christmas Day message as monarch, King Charles III has hailed the "heartfelt solidarity" of people across the recession-hit UK struggling with a deepening cost of living crisis.

At least 34 people have died due to the storm, which has engulfed most of the US during the Christmas weekend. Buffalo, in New York, was hardest hit on Christmas Day with power outages and people trapped in cars.

After two years of muted celebrations due to the coronavirus, visitors returned to Bethlehem to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Pilgrims were taking part in traditional Christmas procession and midnight Mass.