    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [December 22, 1993]
    [Pages 2201-2202]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message on the Observance of Christmas
    December 22, 1993

        Warmest greetings to all who are celebrating Christmas in this
    season of hope.
        Each year at this time, we gather together with our loved ones. We
    teach our children to believe that, with faith and hard work, their
    dreams can come true. We reach out to each other in caring and
    fellowship. We look to the future with hope and always with the most
    earnest of mankind's prayers--the prayer for peace. Thankfully, at this
    Christmastime, we can joyously celebrate the results of our prayers.
        Around the world, people are embracing the promise of the post-Cold
    War era, throwing off the shackles of tyranny and committing themselves
    to the ideals of democracy. Old enemies who met for centuries on the
    battlefield are now meeting on common ground to discuss peace. In our
    own country, many citizens are

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    rededicating themselves to improving their communities and to ending the
    crime and violence that still threaten us. This has indeed been a year
    worthy of the Prince of Peace.
        I have always believed that the Christmas spirit of giving and
    caring joins children and parents across the country and around the
    world. This year, let us listen to the dreams of our children and gain
    strength from their idealism. On this holiday, let us reach out to the
    people around us and work for a world at peace.
        Hillary joins me in extending best wishes to all for a very merry
    Christmas.

                                                                Bill Clinton