Santa Claus drove his reindeer-powered sleigh over rooftops around the world on Wednesday, delivering gifts to millions of children in a magic Christmas Eve ritual that North American air defense officials say they began tracking 70 years ago.

Watch live as Santa Claus begins his annual journey around the world, delivering presents ahead of Christmas Day.

A traditional midnight mass will also be celebrated at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where a large Christmas tree has been erected for the first time in two years.