ladiesandgentleman,OnthisChristmasEve,LauraandIsendourbestwishestofamiliesacrossAmericaasyougatherinyourhomestocelebratetheholiday.Christmasisatimeofjoyandpeace,andwehopetheholidayseasonbringsallofyouhappyreunionswithfamiliesandfriends,andtimetorestandreflectasyoulookforwardtoanewyear.

　　AtChristmas,wegivethanksforthegiftofthebirthofChrist,andfortheblessingsthatsurrounduseverydayoftheyear.Inthisgreatandprosperousland,wehavesomuchtobethankfulfor,andChristmasremindsusofourobligationtosharetheseblessingswithothers.Therearemanyamonguswhoarehurtingandrequireahelpinghand.Inthenewyear,IhopeAmericanswilllookforwaystovolunteeryourtimeandtalentswheretheyareneededmost.Byreachingouttoaneighborinneed,wemakeournationamorejustandcompassionateplace.

　　ThisChristmas,werememberourfellowcitizenswhosufferedfromthehurricanesandotherdisastersthatstruckournationthispastyear.Weprayfortheirstrengthastheycontinuetorecoverandrebuildtheirlivesandtheircommunities.

　　Duringtheholidayseasonandthroughouttheyear,wethinkwithprideofthemenandwomenofourArmedForces,whoarekeepingournationsafeanddefendingfreedomaroundtheworld.InIraq,Afghanistan,andelsewhere,theyareprotectingourlibertybyspreadinglibertytoothers,andallAmericansaregratefultoourtroopsfortheircourageandcommitment.

　　Werealsogratefultotheirfamilies.Stayingbehindwhenafamilymembergoestowarisaheavyburden--anditsparticularlyhardatChristmas.Weprayforourmilitaryfamilies;weaskAlmightyGodtobestowHisprotectionandcareontheirlovedonesastheyprotectournationfromgravedangers.

　　Wealsoremembertheheroicmenandwomenwhohavemadetheultimatesacrificeforournationsfreedom.WepraythatGodwillcomfortthelovedonestheyleftbehind.Thesacrificesofthesebravetroopshaverescuedmillionsfromlivesoftyrannyandsorrow,andmadeAmericamoresecure.Wewillalwayscherishthememoryofeachofourfallenservicemenandwomen,andcountitaprivilegetobecitizensofthecountrytheyserved.

　　Thetimesweliveinhavebroughtmanychallengestoourcountry.Andatsuchtimes,thestoryofChristmasbringsspecialcomfortandconfidence.ChristmasremindsusthatwecantrustinGodspromiseofpeaceonEarthandgoodwilltowardmen.Onanightmorethan2,000yearsago,anangeloftheLordbroughtgoodtidingsofgreatjoy:theGodofHeavenhadcometoEarth,andHewouldbewithusalways.

　　Thankyouforlistening,andMerryChristmas.