    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 24, 1999]
    [Page 2340]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Christmas Greeting to the Nation
    December 24, 1999

        The President. On this holiest of holidays, Hillary and I would like
    to wish all of you a very merry Christmas. This is a season of joy, a
    time for family and friends to rejoice in one another's company and in
    the magic of Christmas. This is also the season of peace.
        On behalf of all Americans, I'd like to send a special greeting to
    the brave men and women in uniform who are serving our country in lands
    far from home. Thank you for the greatest gift of the season, for
    protecting our Nation and safeguarding the blessings we all hold dear.
        The First Lady. At the dawn of
    this new millennium, let us reflect on our hopes, our dreams, and the
    gifts we can give to the future. So let all of us cherish the gift of
    every child among us and pledge to build a world where all children, no
    matter where they are born, can make their dreams come true.
        The President. From our family to yours, merry Christmas, happy new
    year, and may God bless you all.

    Note: The greeting was videotaped at approximately 2:30 p.m. on December
    23 in Room 459 in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building for
    later broadcast. The transcript was made available by the Office of the
    Press Secretary on December 23 but was embargoed for release until 12:01
    a.m. on December 24. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of this greeting.