The President’s annual Christmas message can be viewed on the White House site.

During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that changed the world and continues to change hearts today.

We also remember our brave men and women in uniform who have volunteered to defend us in distant lands. Many of those who have answered the call of duty will spend Christmas far from home and separated from family. We honor their sacrifice, ask God to watch over them and their families, and pray for their safe return.

As the President demonstrates, it is not improper for an official in a position of authority to acknowledge the unique tenets of a religious faith observance.  For those who are curious, the President also issued messages earlier on Hanukkah, Eid al-Adha, and even the non-religious Kwanzaa.  It is worth noting that each message was announced separately to honor the individual event on the occasion of its occurrence.  The President respected each celebration individually, and did not issue a combined “holiday” message that would have diminished the significance of the special occasions.