Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Obama celebrates 'Christmas in Washington'

Justin Bieber says US President Barack Obama is "one cool Prez".


The singer performed his festive hit Mistletoe at the 30th annual Christmas in Washington concert on Sunday.


This was the second time Justin has appeared at the event, which is held in front of the entire presidential family including President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia.


The first time was in 2009, when President Obama famously mispronounced the star's name.


However, the 17-year-old had a wonderful time this year and took to his Twitter account to share his excitement.


"Great night!" he wrote. "President Obama is one cool Prez. He told me he was 'chillin,' (sic)."


Conan O'Brien was on hand to host the event at the National Building Museum.


Justin was joined by acts including Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, The Band Perry and Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice who took turns singing holiday classics and some new hits.


Cee Lo opened the show with his own renditions of This Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.


Obama, who attended a church service with his family on Sunday morning - which he does only rarely - joked and played with young patients from a Washington-area hospital before the show but was serious in his remarks to the crowd.


"This is the season to celebrate miracles," he said after the closing medley.


"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.


"This is the season to celebrate the story of how, more than two thousand years ago, a child was born to two faithful travelers who could find rest only in a stable, among cattle and sheep," Obama said near the close of the concert.


"He was no ordinary child," Obama said. "He was the manifestation of God's love. And every year we celebrate His birth because the story of Jesus Christ changed the world."


Added the Barack Obama:


For me, and for millions of Americans, His story has filled our hearts and inspired our lives. It moves us to love one another; to help and serve those less fortunate; to forgive; to draw close to our families; to be grateful for all that has been given to us; to keep faith; and to hold on to an enduring hope in humanity.


Service to others. Compassion to all. Treating others as we wish ourselves to be treated. Those values aren't just at the center of Christianity; those are 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, and God bless the United States of America.

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