[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 51 (Monday, December 23, 2002)]
[Pages 2181-2182]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message on the Observance of Christmas 2002

December 20, 2002

    I send greetings to those celebrating Christmas.
    During Christmas, we gather with family and friends to celebrate the 
birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As God's only Son, Jesus came to 
Earth and gave His life so that we may live. His actions and His words 
remind us that service to others is central to our lives and that 
sacrifice and unconditional love must guide us and inspire us to lead 
lives of compassion, mercy, and justice.
    The true spirit of Christmas reflects a dedication to helping those 
in need, to giving hope to those in despair, and to spreading peace and 
understanding throughout the Earth. As we share love and enjoy the 
traditions of this holiday, we are also grateful for the men and women 
of our Armed Forces who are working to defend freedom, secure our 
homeland, and advance peace and safety around the world.
    This Christmas, may we give thanks for the blessings God has granted 
to our Nation and

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in each of our lives. May the joy of the holidays renew our commitment 
to working together for a future of peace, opportunity, and hope.
    Laura joins me in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New 
Year.
                                                George W. Bush

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this message. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language version of this message.