best white house christmas decorations

the president: thank you. thank you so much. everybodyhave a seat. merry christmaseverybody. the president: give itup for santa's biggest, baddest elf -- ourhost, the rock. (applause) dwayne is tough asnails on the outside, but as you heard earlier, heis a big softie on the inside.

even played me once on"saturday night live." (laughter) you can see theresemblance. i have a littlemore hair. i want to thank all theincredible performers for dazzling us withtheir talents tonight. give them a biground of applause. and we want to thankall the people behind the scenes who help make thiswonderful event possible

every single year. for 33 years, "christmasin washington" has benefited aremarkable institution -- children's nationalmedical center. that's where dedicatedmedical professionals provide world-class care to ourmost precious resource -- our children -- everysingle day of the year. of course, this holidayis all about the birth of a child more than2,000 years ago.

a young soon-to-be mother andher husband of modest means traveled to bethlehem andsought shelter for the night. they found it in a manger. and in the lowliestof surroundings a savior was born whowould change the world. jesus christ liveda life of peace, of love, and kindnessand forgiveness. he administered to thepoor and to the sick, to the stranger and theoutcast on society's margins.

his life of service teachesus that our individual salvation is wrapped up inthe salvation of others. and two millennia later, itlifts the hearts of billions around the world, christiansand non-christians alike. in the hustle and bustleof christmas season, may we all do our bestto follow his example, to reach out to someone whosechristmas isn't so jolly; to turn our blessings intokindness and compassion; to treat one anotherthe way we would like

to be treated. that's the realchristmas spirit. to all our men and womenin uniform serving far from home, and to thefamilies who miss them, we thank you for yourservice and sacrifice, and we're thinking ofyou this holiday season. and to every american,from the obama family to yours, merrychristmas. god bless you, andgod bless america.

thank you very much.

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