The Christmas season

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose with children as they attend the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 13, 2009



First lady Michelle Obama introduces children her husband and U.S. President Barack Obama as they attend the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 13, 2009.



U.S. President Barack Obama greets children during the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 13, 2009.


U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet children as they attend the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 13, 2009.


(L-R) Sugar Land's Kristian Bush, Mary J. Blige, U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and George Lopez stand on a stage during the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 13, 2009.


Strollers make their way past snow covered trees on the mountain Schauinsland in the Black Forest, Germany, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Prospects for white Christmas are good in the mountains.


A pedestrian walks past a Christmas tree decorated with fire extinguishers at Mapo fire station in Seoul December 14, 2009. The Christmas tree was set up to promote the fire station's fire prevention campaign during the Christmas and New Year season.


Shoppers walk past a 7-meter (23-foot) Christmas tree made of 850,000 LEGO bricks at Senayan City shopping mall in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009.


Iraqi Christians buy a Christmas tree in central Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital


An Iraqi girl walks past Christmas decorations displayed in front of a store in central Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital.


South Korean college students perform during the first day of Santa school in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. More than 50 students will work at kindergartens during the Christmas season. Christmas is one of the biggest holidays celebrated in South Korea with over half the population being Christians.



photo: AP