[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.