Great Stuff! What Past Presidents Have Really Said About Christmas!

“One year ago, twenty-two million Americans, by enrolling as members of the Red Cross at CHRISTMAS time, sent to the men who were fighting our battles overseas a stimulating message of cheer and good-will…

Now, by God’s grace, the Red Cross CHRISTMAS message of 1918 is to be a message of peace as well as a message of good-will.”

The 29th U.S. President, Warren G. Harding, December 23, 1921, stated of the U.S. delegation drawing up the Four-Powers Treaty, that he:

“…is more than gratified over their efforts, because they are working out the greatest contribution to peace and goodwill which has ever marked the CHRISTMAS time in all the Christian era.”

The 30th U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge, stated:

“CHRISTMAS is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of CHRISTMAS.”

The 31st U.S. President, Herbert Hooverstated, December 22, 1931:

“I have received requests from Federal employees…that they should be given two periods of holidays…CHRISTMAS and…New Year’s Day…

While I see little objection to the day following CHRISTMAS in order that Federal employees may have an opportunity to join their families…I do not feel that we should extend the holidays at New Year’s.”

The 32nd U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, stated in his Christmas Message, December 24, 1942:

“It is significant that CHRISTMAS Day our plants and factories will be stilled. That is not true of the other holidays. On all other holidays work goes on – gladly – for the winning of the war.

So CHRISTMAS becomes the only holiday in all the year. I like to think that this is so because CHRISTMAS is a holy day. May all it stands for live and grow throughout the years.”

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The 33rd U.S. President, Harry S Truman, stated, December 24, 1946:

“We shall find strength and courage at this CHRISTMAS time…

He whose birth we celebrate tonight was the world’s greatest teacher. He said: ‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.’

Through all the centuries since He spoke, history has vindicated His teaching. In this great country of ours has been demonstrated the fundamental unity of Christianity and democracy…

We have our unique national heritage because of a common aspiration to be free and because of our purpose to achieve for ourselves and for our children the good things of life which the Christ declared He came to give to all mankind…

The progress we have made gives hope that in the coming year we shall reach our goal…the benediction of the Master: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God’…

I say to all my countrymen: Merry CHRISTMAS!…and may God bless you all!”

The 34th U.S. President, Dwight Eisenhower, stated in 1960:

“Through the ages men have felt the uplift of the spirit of CHRISTMAS. We commemorate the birth of the Christ Child by…giving expression to our gratitude for the great things that His coming has brought about in the world.”

The 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedystated, December 17, 1962:

“CHRISTMAS…is the most sacred and hopeful day in our civilization.”

The 36th U.S. President, Lyndon Johnson, stated at a News Conference, December 18, 1963:

Q. Mr. President, can you tell us about your CHRISTMAS plans yet?

THE PRESIDENT…If God is willing and Mrs. Johnson is willing, I plan to fly to my home either the night of the 22d, after I light the CHRISTMAS tree…I hope to spend CHRISTMAS Eve with my family…I don’t want to keep my secrets from you people–I might even go hunting.”

The 37th U.S. President, Richard Nixon stated, January 20, 1969:

“As the Apollo astronauts flew over the moon’s gray surface on CHRISTMAS Eve, they spoke to us the beauty of earth – and in that voice so clear across the lunar distance, we heard them invoke God’s blessing on its goodness.”

The 38th U.S. President, Gerald Ford, remarked lighting of the National Community Christmas Tree, December 17, 1974:

“The glow of CHRISTMAS, however, should come from a power source which we will never run short of, our abiding faith and our love of God.”

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The 39th U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, commented in 1977:

“CHRISTMAS has a special meaning for those of us who are Christians, those of us who believe in Christ, those of us who know that almost 2,000 years ago, the Son of Peace was born.”

The 40th U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, stated in his Christmas Address, DECEMBER 20, 1983:

“Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations we forget the true meaning of CHRISTMAS…the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ…During this glorious festival let us renew our determination to follow His example.”