Christmas cheer from Bangladesh to Damascus, and beyond

Beginning with the Queen of England attending Christmas service, we kick off Christmas around the globe.

In outer space, NASA astronauts are wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Celebrating the birth of Christ, Christians in the majority-Muslim Bangladesh don Santa hats at a church ceremony.

At the heart of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis blesses the masses in Vatican Square.

Despite a war-torn Syria, residents of Damascus light candles for peace.

While an Ebola epidemic plagues West Africa, Red Cross staff sing and dance to bring joy to victims of the deadly virus in Sierra leone.

Even more song and dance in Afghanistan, where troops serving abroad celebrate far from home.

And a Merry Christmas from the White House.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:

"So Merry Christmas, everybody. May God bless you all. And we wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2015."