Monday 12 December 2011

Obama strikes pious note at Bieber holiday concert


The Obamas celebrated the holiday season with musical stars Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, Victoria Justice and the Band Perry at the 30th annual "Christmas in Washington" concert Sunday night.
President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson attended the concert to benefit the Children's National Medical Center.
The concert of Christmas carols and songs— which took place at the National Building Museum— was hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
In honor of the "season to celebrate miracles," Obama spoke about the story of Jesus' birth during his brief remarks to the crowd.
He said the story of Jesus Christ has changed the world by teaching basic values such as loving one another, helping and serving the less fortunate, forgiving, drawing closer to family, being grateful and keeping faith.
"Those are values that are shared by all faiths," Obama said. "So tonight let us all rededicate ourselves to each other, and in that spirit, from my family to yours: Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America."
Before the concert, the Obamas greeted patients of the children's medical center dressed as elves and presented them with a basket of children's books. Obama playfully struggled to lift the basket and asked the elves to help him place it under a Christmas tree.


"Every year we celebrate his birth because the story of Jesus Christ changed the world. For me and for millions of Americans, the story has filled our hearts and inspired our lives," he said, adding that Christian values of giving, gratefulness, service and compassion were "values that are shared by all faiths."


"So tonight let us all rededicate ourselves to each other, and in that spirit, from my family to yours: Happy holidays, merry Christmas, God bless you all," the president said.


Obama, who could face a tough reelection fight in 2012, does not speak often about his religious beliefs.


He has, however, fielded questions about Bieber at several of his recent public appearances, including a jobs event in rural Virginia and a school visit in Australia, where a female student asked last month why Obama didn't team up with the pop star to help boost his popularity.


During the concert, which also included singers Cee Lo Green and Jennifer Hudson, O'Brien also poked fun at Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign to get Americans to exercise more and eating healthier.


"It's not easy to be a child at the White House these days. Santa's probably not going to stop at a house that leaves out a cup of organic soy milk and a plate of celery cookies," he said, to laughter.

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