President Obama visited a Boys & Girls Club in Washington, D.C. yesterday to deliver some cookies and talk about the baby Jesus.
When Obama said it’s important to remember why Christmas, one of the children piped up and said, “I know!” Obama asked, “Do you know?” The child said, “The birth of baby Jesus.” Here’s how Obama responded, according to a transcript provided by the White House.
The birth of baby Jesus, and what he symbolizes for people all around the world is the possibility of peace and people treating each other with respect. And so I just hope that spirit of giving that’s so important at Christmas, I hope all of you guys remember that as well. You know, it’s not just about getting gifts but it’s also doing something for other people. So being nice to your mom and dad and grandma and aunties and showing respect to people – that’s really important too, that’s part of the Christmas spirit, don’t you think? Do you agree with me?
He asked the children if they had an interesting observation.
Child: I know why we give gifts to other people.
Obama: Why is that?
Child: Because the three wise men gave gifts to baby Jesus.
Obama: That’s exactly right. … You know, the three wise men, if you think about it, here are these guys, they have all this money, they’ve got all this wealth and power, and yet they took a long trip to a manger just to see a little baby. And it just shows you that just because you’re powerful or you’re wealthy, that’s not what’s important. What’s important is what’s – the kind of spirit you have.
So I hope everybody has a spirit of kindness and thoughtfulness, and everybody is really thinking about how can they do for other people – treating them well, because that’s really the spirit of Christmas.
