Good morning, and Merry Christmas. During this time of conflict and challenge, Christmas is a day on which we celebrate hope and joy, when our thoughts turn to justice and compassion and to a Prince of Peace born long ago. This is a day on which we give thanks for the wonder of God's love, for the blessings we have received, and for the families we love. And this year all of these things seem particularly important.
Charles Dickens wrote that Christmas is a time when abundance rejoices and want is keenly felt. This Christmas finds many facing hurt and loss, especially the families of terror victims and of our young men killed in battle. America grieves with you, and we hope you'll especially find the comfort and hope of Christmas.
Laura and I send our good wishes to all the families in America that have come together in celebration. We're especially grateful to all the men and women of our military, many of whom are today separated from their loved ones because they're serving our country.
Even in this time of war, we pray for peace on Earth and good will toward men, and we continue to ask God's blessings on the United States.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
NOTE: The radio greeting was recorded at 10:04 a.m. on December 21 in the Cabinet Room for later broadcast. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on December 21 but was embargoed for release until December 25. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this greeting.
George W. Bush, Christmas Greeting to the Nation Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/213037