Now we're not going to take up too much of your

time because today's about family and being

together with the ones you love.

And luckily for me that means I get a little

help on the Weekly Address as well.

Mrs. Obama: The holidays at the

White House are such a wonderful time of year.

We fill the halls with decorations,

Christmas trees, and carolers.

And this year we invited more than

65,000 people to join us.

Our theme was, "A Children's Winter Wonderland."

And Americans young and old had a chance to come

together and celebrate the season.

The President: And today our family

will join millions across the country in celebrating

the birth of Jesus.

The birth of not just a baby and in a manger

but the message that has changed the world.

To reach out to the sick, the hungry, the troubled,

and above all else to love one another as we would

be loved ourselves.

Mrs. Obama: We hope that this

holiday season will be a chance for us to live out that message.

To bridge our differences and lift up our family,

friends, and neighbors.

And to reconnect with the values that

bind us together.

And as a country that also means celebrating

and honoring those who have served and sacrificed

for all of us.

Our troops, veterans, and their families.

The President: In just a few days

our combat mission in Afghanistan will be over.

Our longest war will come to a responsible end.

And that gives us an opportunity to step back

and reflect upon all that these families have given us.

We're able to gather with family and friends because

our troops are willing to hug theirs goodbye and

step forward to serve.

After a long day we can come home because they're

willing to leave their families and deploy.

We can celebrate the holidays because

they're willing to miss their own.

Mrs. Obama: And so as our troops

continue to transition back home, back to our businesses,

our schools, our congregations, and our

communities, it's up to all of us to serve them

as well as they've served us.

And you can visit joiningforces.gov

to find out how you can honor and support the troops,

veterans, and military families in your communities.

That's something we can do not only during the

holiday season but all year around.

The President: So Merry Christmas everybody.

May God bless you all and we wish you

and your family a happy and healthy 2015.