Nicholas Lawsure, 8, portraying a shepherd, walks down the aisle of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland during a Christmas pageant at the 4 p.m. Family Mass on Saturday.

Behind him, portraying angels, are, left to right, Kalei Kieu, 4, Stella Gartland, 7, and Lucy Ricker, 5.

In other parts of the world, many Christmas celebrations become intertwined with politics. Story, Nation & World.