... today, our family will join millions across the country in celebrating the birth of Jesus – the birth not just of a baby in a manger, but of a 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.He also thanked American troops as the combat mission in Afghanistan comes to an end:
... 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 have served us.The First Lady urged Americans to go to the JoiningForces website for more information on supporting troops, veterans and military families.
Meanwhile, The Independent reports that in Britain the Queen's annual Christmas message will be broadcast this afternoon. Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message was given this year by British Ebola survivor William Pooley. The Queen is likely to praise aid workers fighting Ebola and is also likely to highlight this year's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I.
