President Joe Biden on Thursday sought to spread a message of hope and unity during a holiday address at the White House, saying while Christmas itself is central to the Christian faith, the “messages of hope, love, peace and joy – they’re also universal.”
“The message of Christmas is always important. It's especially important through tough times, like the ones we've been through the past few years,” Biden said, acknowledging the over one million lives lost to COVID-19 in the United States since the start of the pandemic.
This year marks the president’s second holiday season in the White House since taking office, and Biden went on to say the country has made significant progress in its fight against the virus in that time.
“Things are getting better. COVID-19 no longer controls our lives. Our kids are back in school. People are back to work,” he said, continuing: “In fact, more people are working than ever before. Americans are building again, innovating again. Dreaming again.”
Despite Biden’s uplifting message, health officials have in recent weeks warned that COVID-19 infections are again on the rise, perhaps due in part to families gathering for the Thanksgiving holiday. White House experts have also encouraged Americans to get their updated COVID-19 booster shot and flu vaccination as the triple threat of influenza, COVID and RSV still linger across the country.
The president on Thursday also lamented the hyper-partisan nature of politics that has dogged his administration since the 2020 elections, saying: “Our politics have gotten so angry, so mean, so partisan. And too often we see each other as enemies not as neighbors as Democrats or Republicans, not as fellow Americans.”
“I sincerely hope this holiday season will drain the poison that has affected our politics and set us against one another,” Biden said. “I hope this Christmas season marks a fresh start for our nation, because there's so much that unites us as Americans, so much more that unites us than divides us.”
The president’s brief message, delivered to reporters at the East Room of the White House, reflected the overall theme of the administration’s holiday decorations, selected as “We the People” by first lady Dr. Jill Biden.
“The values that unite us can be found all around you, a belief in possibility and optimism and unity,” Dr. Biden said in announcing the theme in late November. “Room by room, we represent what brings us together during the holidays and throughout the year.”
The public rooms of the White House are adorned in decorations that evoke the theme of unity, including tributes to late family members and friends, reflections on food and traditions and uplifting messages for Americans across the country.
Biden on Thursday was flanked by two Christmas trees adorned in ornaments and fake snow.
The president ended his address by encouraging Americans to reach out to each other this holiday season, saying in part: “A hug, an unexpected phone call, a quiet cup of coffee – simple acts of kindness that can lift a spirit, provide comfort, and perhaps maybe even save a life.”
“So this Christmas, let’s spread a little kindness. This Christmas let's be that helping hand, that strong shoulder, that friendly voice when no one else seems to care for those who are struggling in trouble in need,” Biden said. “It just might be the best gift you can ever give.”
Biden’s advice to spread kindness comes as many Americans prepare for a holiday weekend that could be made more stressful by canceled flights amid a massive winter storm hitting the country.
It also comes during a time of year where research shows those with mental illness say their conditions tend to be exacerbated.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness on Thursday released a series of suggestions for those who might be struggling with their mental health this holiday season, including to limit consumption of alcohol and drugs, to write down a “gratitude list,” to reach out to loved ones during times of crisis and to spend time in nature, among other ideas.