*Administration of Barack H. Obama, 2009 *

**Remarks at "Christmas in Washington" **

*December 13, 2009 *

*The President*. Thank you very much. Thank you. Please, everybody, have a seat. Good evening, and Merry Christmas. Thank you, George Lopez. Thank you to all the incredible performers for sharing your wonderful holiday spirit with us this evening: Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas, Usher, and Justin Bieber——

*First Lady Michelle Obama*. Bieber.

*The President*.* *Bieber—[*laughter*]—he was just discovered—[*laughter*]—the American Family Choir, and the Washington Youth Choir and the United States Army Herald Trumpets.

And to the producers and crew behind the scenes, thank you for bringing us together at this historic and beautiful National Building Museum and for bringing this celebration to our fellow Americans.

For many of your families, this is a holiday tradition, the 28th "Christmas in Washington" celebration. For our family, this is our first Christmas in the White House. And Michelle and I are honored to be with you. And I know that Malia, Sasha, and my mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, want to wish you all a wonderful holiday, and I'm sure they're watching here at home this evening.

This season we celebrate that sacred moment, the birth of a child and the message of love He would preach to the world: That we are our brother's keeper; that we are our sister's keeper; that "pure in heart," we do unto others as we would have them do unto us; that we devote ourselves to "good works"; that we are summoned to be peacemakers.

More than 2,000 years later, that spirit still inspires us. It's why this celebration tonight benefits the Children's National Medical Center and all the children whose lives they touch and they save. And it's why, as so many of our fellow citizens struggle through tough times, we are called upon to help neighbors in need. And it's why, with our men and women in uniform serving far from home in harm's way, our fervent wish remains, this season and all seasons, let there be peace on Earth.

To all Americans, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas, and God bless you.

NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 7 p.m. at the National Building Museum. In his remarks, he referred to entertainers George Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Neil L. Diamond, Robert K. Thomas, Usher Raymond IV, and Justin D. Bieber. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on December 14.

*Categories:* Addresses and Remarks : "Christmas in Washington"*.*

*Locations:* Washington, DC.

*Names:* Bieber, Justin D.; Blige, Mary J.; Diamond, Neil L.; Lopez, George; Obama, Malia; Obama, Michelle; Obama, Natasha "Sasha"; Raymond, Usher, IV; Robinson, Marian; Thomas, Robert K.

*Subjects:* Armed Forces, U.S. : Service members :: Deployment; Christmas and winter holidays; District of Columbia : Building Museum, National; Economy, national : Recession, effects.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD200900991.