[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 51 (Monday, December 27, 1993)]
[Page 2626]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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