President Bush's Christmas Address
Thank you all. Thank you very much. With the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, we observe one of the great traditions of our nation's capital. And throughout the Christmas season, we recall that God's love is found in 1)humble places, and God's peace is offered to all of us. Laura and I are pleased to be with you at this Christmas Pageant of Peace, and we thank you all for coming as well.
I want to thank Barbara for hosting this event. (Applause) I want to thank all the 2)entertainers for making the night such a special evening, thank you all for coming. (Applause) I want to thank Peter and the board of directors and the production team for organizing this fine event. I appreciate Santa coming. (Laughter) Looks like he needs a belt for Christmas. (Laughter) Finally, I want to thank all the good people of the National Park Service. (Applause) The National Christmas Tree is a living tree and the Park Service looks after it every single day of the year.
For nearly 80 years, in times of calm and in times of challenge, Americans have gathered for this ceremony. The simple story we remember during this season speaks to every generation. It is the story of a quiet birth in a little town, on the margins of an indifferent empire. Yet, that single event set the direction of history and still changes millions of lives. For over two 3)millennia, Christmas has carried the message that God is with us - and, because He's with us, we can always live in hope.
In this season, we celebrate with our families - and deeply miss family members no longer with us. Thousands of families in our nation are still grieving over the terrible losses that came to them last year on September the 11th. We pray for their comfort. We pray for the comfort for everyone who has lost a life this year.
Our entire nation is also thinking at this time of year of the men and women in the military, many of whom will spend this Christmas at posts far from home. They stand between Americans and grave danger. They serve in the cause of peace and freedom. They wear the uniform proudly and we are proud of them. (Applause)
Laura and I wish every American family the blessings of this season, happy holidays, and a merry Christmas. And now we have the honor of lighting the National Christmas Tree. And joining us, we've got two new friends, Samara Banks and Ben Schneller, to help us light this tree.
Now, if everybody - you all step up here - (laughter) - get ready. Please join us in the 4)countdown: Five, four, three, two, one. (Applause)
布什總統(tǒng)圣誕講話
2002年12月5日
謝謝,非常感謝。隨著國家圣誕樹上燈火亮起,我們迎來了祖國首都一個(gè)重要的傳統(tǒng)節(jié)日。整個(gè)圣誕節(jié)讓我們感到世間洋溢著上帝的愛,人人都享有上帝恩賜的和平。能在這和平的圣誕慶典中與大家相聚我和勞拉都很高興,為此我也要感謝諸位的光臨。
我要感謝芭芭拉主持這場儀式。(掌聲)我要感謝所有的演藝人員,因?yàn)橛辛四銈冏尳裢盹@得格外特別,謝謝你們的到來。(掌聲)我要感謝彼得、整個(gè)理事會以及所有的籌備人員,是你們組織了這場盛大的慶典。我感謝圣誕老人的光臨。(笑聲)看起來他需要一條腰帶過圣誕節(jié)。(笑聲)最后,我要感謝國家公園各部門中所有辛勤的工作人員。(掌聲)國家圣誕樹是一棵活生生的樹,因?yàn)橛袊夜珗@的工作人員日復(fù)一日地照看著它。
近八十年來,時(shí)逢安定,時(shí)逢挑戰(zhàn),美國人都要聚到一塊兒舉行慶典。如今,我們記憶中的圣誕節(jié)小故事已是老少皆知。那是一個(gè)生命在一個(gè)冷漠國度的邊境小鎮(zhèn)上靜靜降生的故事。然而這件事卻劃定了歷史前進(jìn)的方向,并且直到現(xiàn)在仍在改寫著千百萬人的命運(yùn)。兩千多年來,圣誕節(jié)一直傳遞著一個(gè)信息——上帝與我們同在。正因?yàn)樗惆橹覀?,所以我們能永遠(yuǎn)生活在希望之中。
值此佳節(jié)我們與家人一同張燈結(jié)彩,并一同深切緬懷那些離我們而去的親人。我們國家有成千上萬的家庭仍在為去年九月十一號降臨到他們頭上的那場可怕災(zāi)難而哀慟不已。我們祈禱他們安心,我們祈禱所有今年喪失生活勇氣的人安心。
此時(shí)我們舉國上下同樣也牽掛著那些軍營中的男女軍人,他們中的許多人將會在遠(yuǎn)離家鄉(xiāng)的崗位上度過這個(gè)圣誕節(jié)。他們屹立在美國人與危機(jī)之間,他們捍衛(wèi)著和平與自由,他們自豪地穿著軍裝,而我們?yōu)樗麄冏院馈?掌聲)
我和勞拉祝愿所有的美國家庭節(jié)日好運(yùn)、假期愉快、圣誕快樂?,F(xiàn)在,我們有幸來點(diǎn)亮這棵國家圣誕樹。我們也請來兩位新朋友——莎瑪拉·班克斯和本·施內(nèi)爾勒——幫助我們一起來點(diǎn)亮這棵樹。
請諸位走上前來,(笑聲),各就各位。請大家跟著我們一起數(shù):五、四、三、二、一。(掌聲)