The Middle East Eye reports:
A Christmas tradition in Iraq, and sometimes also Syria, involves a bonfire of dried thorned branches.
The fire is lit after children complete a recitation of the nativity story, which is read by candlelight from the Book of Psalms. The candles are then used to light the thorns.
Tradition says that if the thorns burn completely and turn to ash, the year ahead will be filled with good fortune.
Once the flames have died, each person in the family jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.
Date-filled biscuits, called "klecha", are also enjoyed and exchanged over the festive period.
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