2010-12-25THE PRESIDENT: Merry Christmas, everybody. Michelle and I just wanted to take a moment today to send greetings from our family to yours.THE FIRST LADY： This is one of our favorite times of year. And wefre so fortunate to be able to celebrate it together in this wonderful home.This is the Peoples House. So Barack and I try to open it to as many people as we can, especially during the holiday season.This month, more than 100,000 Americans have passed through these halls. And the idea behind this years theme, Simple Gifts/ is that the greatest blessings of all are the ones that dont cost a thing 一 the comfort of spending time w汁h loved ones.the freedoms we enjoy as Americansand the joy we feel upon giving something of ourselves.So in this time of family, friends, and good cheer; lets also be sure to look out for those who are less fortunate，whove hit a run of bad luck, or who are hungry and alone this holiday season.THE PRESIDENT: Because this is the season when we celebrate the simplest yet most profound gift of all： the birth of a child who devoted his life to a message of peace, love, and redemption. A message that says no matter who we are, we are called to love one another - we are our brothers keeper, we are our sisters keeper, our separate stories in this big and busy world are really one.Today, we re also thinking of those who can*t be home for the holidays especially all our courageous countrymen serving overseas.Thats the message I delivered when I visited our troops in Afghanistan a few weeks ago that while you may be serving far from home, every American supports you and your families. We re w汁h you. And I have no greater honor than serving as your Commander in Chief.Todayfs soldiers, sailors, airmen. Marines, and Coast Guardsmen make up the finest fighting force in the history of the world. Just like their predecessors, they do extraordinary things in service to their country. What makes that all the more remarkable is that todays military is an allvolunteer force 一 a force of mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives.THE FIRST LADY： Thats right. As First Lady, Ive had the honor to meet members of our military and their families on bases and in communities all across the country. Ive gotten to know husbands and wives doing the parenting of two while their spouse is on another deploymentchildren trying their best in school but always wondering when mom or dad is coming homepatriots putting their lives on hold to help w 汁h a loved ones recovery .or carry on the memory of a fallen hero.When our men and women in uniform answer the call to serve, their families serve, too. And theyre proud and glad to do 汁. But as long as that service keeps the rest of us safe, their sacrifice should also be our own. Even heroes can use a hand, especially during the holidays.THE PRESIDENT: So were encouraging Americans to ask what you can do to support our troops and their families in this holiday season. For some ideas on how to get started, just vis汁 Serve.gov.THE FIRST LADY： Youll see that you dont need to be an expert in military life to give back to those who give so much to us. There are countless ways to contribute by harnessing your unique talents.If you live near a base, you can reach out through your local school or church. If you dont, you can volunteer w汁h organizations that support military families. And anybody can send a care package or pre-paid calling card to the front lines, or give whats sometimes the most important gift of all： simply saying thank you.THE PRESIDENT: Americas brave servicemen and women represent a small fraction of our population. But they and the families who await their safe return carry far more than their fair share of the burden. They ve done everything they ve been asked to do. Theyve been everything weve asked them to be. And even as we speak, many are fighting halfway around the globe 一 in hopes that someday, our children and grandchildren wont have to.So lets all remind them this holiday season that were thinking of them - and that America will forever be here for them, just as theyve been there for us.And on behalf of Michelle, Malia, SashaTHE FIRST LADY： and Bo.THE PRESIDENT: and Bo .have a very Merry Christmas.THE FIRST LADY： and an even happier New Year.