Christmas Food

Wars in both Gaza and Ukraine have been the focus of many key Christmas messages and services across the world.

Council workers and locals at Bronte Beach are cleaning up rubbish left behind by beach-goers on Christmas day. 

Rob Godwin from the National Retail Association says retailers are stepping up the levels of discounting following a tough year due to cost-of-living pressures. 

The normally buzzing streets instead filled with Palestinian Christians who prayed for an end to hostilities.

No matter if it was sunny or not, Australians have come together with family, friends and in some cases volunteers to share and spread the Christmas cheer.

Extreme weather over a week ago saw more than a thousand homes inundated by floodwaters, but it hasn't stopped residents from enjoying some festive cheer.

The cost of living crisis and the war in Gaza were both strong themes at the services, while the Prime Minister helped Sydneysiders in need at a charity lunch.

The Top-end town of Katherine empties out around Christmas, but for a group of determined locals it was a chance to showcase the town's Christmas lights.

Christmas spirit has a whole new meaning to Cairns residents, who after a week of enduring devastation, have started to smile again. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to emergency service workers and those affected by floods in Far North Queensland.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has thanked emergency services workers in a Christmas message. 

Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli has wished all Australians a happy Christmas.

Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel wishes Australians a very happy Christmas. 

Professor Penny Van Bergen discusses the social etiquette of rejecting a gift that's been given to the child.  

Fijian workers in Broome, Western Australia, took out third place.

Second place went to Timor-Leste workers in Port Augusta, South Australia who sang the "Feliz Navidad".

Workers from Vanuata at Moonrocks Farm at St George, north-western Queensland, won first place. 

Reverend Bill Crews is hoping all the wars would disappear as he wished Australians a peaceful Christmas. 

Luke Gahan says there has been a decrease in people believing blood and genetics are the most important thing when defining a family. 

Reverend Jack Sara says Bethlehem has been struggling as major Christmas celebrations are cancelled in light of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.