President's Radio Address 12/25/2004 (President Bush wishes everyone a Merry Christmas)

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. On this Christmas day, as families across the nation gather in our homes to celebrate, Laura and I extend to all Americans our best wishes for the holidays. We hope this Christmas is a time of joy and peace for each of you, and we hope it offers you a chance for rest and reflection as you look forward to the new year ahead.

The Christmas season fills our hearts with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. And with those blessings comes a responsibility to reach out to others. Many of our fellow Americans still suffer from the effects of illness or poverty, others fight cruel addictions, or cope with division in their families, or grieve the loss of a loved one. Christmastime reminds each of us that we have a duty to our fellow citizens, that we are called to love our neighbor just as we would like to be loved ourselves. By volunteering our time and talents where they are needed most, we help heal the sick, comfort those who suffer, and bring hope to those who despair, one heart and one soul at a time.

During the holidays, we also keep in our thoughts and prayers the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially those far from home, separated from family and friends by the call of duty. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, these skilled and courageous Americans are fighting the enemies of freedom and protecting our country from danger. By bringing liberty to the oppressed, our troops are helping to win the war on terror, and they are defending the freedom and security of us all. They and their families are making many sacrifices for our nation, and for that, all Americans are deeply grateful.

The times we live in have brought many challenges to our country. And at such times, the story of Christmas brings special comfort and confidence. For 2000 years, Christmas has proclaimed a message of hope: the patient hope of men and women across centuries who listened to the words of prophets and lived in joyful expectation, the hope of Mary who welcomed God's plan with great faith, and the hope of Wise Men who set out on a long journey, guided only by a promise traced in the stars.

Christmas reminds us that the grandest purposes of God can be found in the humblest places, and it gives us hope that all the love and gifts that come to us in this life are the signs and symbols of an even greater love and gift that came on a holy night.

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Home > Holidays

Welcome to a Season of Merriment and Melody

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush arrive at the Pageant of Peace to light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse near the White House Dec. 2, 2004.

Throughout the world, the holiday season is greeted by joyful music that brightens hearts and evokes wonderful memories. This year’s theme brings to the White House the magic of holiday songs that have been favorites for generations of Americans.

The grand halls and splendid rooms of America’s house are decorated with delightful vignettes illustrating many of the best-loved songs of the season. We are grateful to the members of the White House Executive Residence staff who have created these marvelous scenes.

Our thanks go also to the many florists from across the country who give their time, talent and boundless energy to transform the White House into a wonderland of beauty and song.

Enjoy your holiday visit, and sing along!

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It's encouraging to hear the president actually utter the phrase "Merry Christmas." That's one reason I love Bush: he doesn't subscribe to the P.C. nonsense prevalent among our chattering classes.

Agreed...it's one of the many things that has endeared him to mainstream, sane, traditional America.

Unfortunately, I'm in hard-Left Seattle, and many retail businesses have adopted a corporate policy of greeting customers with "Happy Holidays" or some other p.c. nonsense. I take delight not only in responding to this with "Merry Christmas" but also in specifically thanking store representatives when they greet me with "Merry Christmas", and telling them why I'm so appreciative. I believe that things like this can make a difference, and can have an effect upon our culture. I'm very happy that our President, as the voice of our Nation, chooses to address us all with "Merry Christmas".

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