Thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world have gathered in and around the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem for Midnight Mass.

A look back at 2012's entertainment moments

Anxious retailers are hoping for a last-minute Christmas rush.

The BBC's Rebecca Jones has been finding out if contemporary carols can compete with the old favourites.

Although Claire Lomas finished this year's London Marathon in last place many found her story truly inspirational, but now she is seeking new challenges.

Doctor Who travels back in time for a Victorian Christmas

HIV has been one of modern medicine's most implacable foes, 31 years since AIDS was first observed in the west with 30m deaths worldwide since, it has been tamed but not beaten.

In her Christmas broadcast this year, the Queen will pay tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic athletes who inspired the nation during the London games.

Christmas trees and baubles are shrinking, according to the Chinese factories that make most of the world's festive decorations.

More than 22,000 fans of the Berlin football team FC Union have joined forces to sing Christmas carols at their stadium, in a tradition which had a much smaller beginning in 2003.

Authorities in Chile have issued a red alert for the Copahue volcano after seismic activity was detected.

The founder of the world's first school for mural art talks about why outdoor art is important.

BBC News asked a number of leading actors to recall their most memorable on-stage interruption.

National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre has said that he would not support any new gun control legislation.

In Umberleigh, near Barnstaple in north Devon, a woman was swept away from her car in the early hours of Sunday after becoming stuck in fast-flowing flood water.

Many are still trying to rebuild their homes and lives following superstorm Sandy, but volunteers are determined they will be touched by Christmas spirit.

Flooding is continuing to cause problems for people in Wales, south-west England and parts of Scotland, with the Aberdeenshire town of Stonehaven one of the worst hit.

Freezing conditions in eastern China freeze sea water and cause snow drifts on many roads

The season for blockbuster films, comedy specials and holiday editions of the soaps has arrived, and Colin Paterson gives his Christmas schedule reviews and recommendations.

At the start of 2012, there were 54 Remploy factories across the UK providing jobs for hundreds of people with disabilities, but within a few months only five could remain.