It's my tremendous honor to finally wish America and the world a very merry Christmas.
For Christians, this is a holy season, the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
More than 2,000 years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.
He said, do not be afraid.
You have found favor.
The angel told her that she would give birth to a baby boy, Jesus, who would be called the Son of the Most High.
Nine months later, Christ was born in the town of Bethlehem.
The Son of God came into the world in a humble stable.
Whatever our beliefs, we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of this incredible life forever changed the course of human history.
There's hardly an aspect of our lives today that his life has not touched art, music, culture, law, and our respect for the sacred dignity of every person everywhere in the world.
At Christmas, we give thanks to God and that God sent his only son to die for us.
And to offer everlasting peace to all humanity.
We recognize that the real spirit of Christmas is not what we have.
It's about who we are.
Each one of us is a child of God.
That is the true source of joy this time of the year.
That is what makes every Christmas merry.
Above all, during the sacred season, our souls are full of thanks and praise for Almighty God for sending us Christ, His Son, to redeem the world.
Tonight we ask that God will continue to bless this nation, and we pray that He will grant every American family a Christmas season full of joy, hope, and peace.