Michelle Obama Shines, White House Hanukkah

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and his family attended a worship service Sunday morning at an Episcopal church just across the street from the White House where presidents frequently have visited.


The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia made the short walk across Lafayette Square to St. John’s Church.


The sermon by Rev. Dr. Luis Leon was based on the story of John the Baptist, who told the religious leaders he was neither the Messiah nor the prophet, but a voice calling in the wilderness.


Leon likened the story to the president and the expectations Americans may have of him. People have illusions about the nation and about God, the pastor said, and urged the congregation to open its eyes not “to the God we have created, but to who he really is,” he said.


Just before the announcements, the congregation laughed when a young boy ran to the front of the church and took a good look at the Obamas.


The first family participated in Holy Communion before strolling back through the park to the executive mansion.


Obama has worshipped at St. John’s previously, including Easter services in 2009. He has also attended other churches in the nation’s capital.


The way I see it, we're just extending the holiday spirit. We're stretching it out. But we do have to be careful that your kids don't start thinking Hanukkah lasts 20 nights instead of eight. That will cause some problems..."


Although the holiday starts on December 20, Michelle and Jill already had their festive fashions ready. SLOTUS (that's Mrs. Biden) wore a billowy black number that echoed Michelle's Christmas decorating outfit a few weeks ago: solid black dress and detailed white collar with a hint of sparkle.


Michelle, on the other hand, went full-on festive. Her sleeveless cobalt dress glowed like the menorah lit on the dais (with candles for all eight nights already, but who was really noticing) and around her collar hung layered strands of blue Erickson Beamon pearls.


The men also decided to go blue for the Jewish holiday, each wearing an azure tie. (Alas Bo was absent, as his black-and-white appearance would have truly ruined the theme.)


For a bunch that doesn't actually celebrate Hanukkah, the First and Second families sure know how to get in the holiday spirit! With all the blue (which somewhere along the line became associated with Jews, although we're not sure when or why), we do wonder: are they all trying a little too hard to dress the part or is the united color scheme a nice touch.