which begin in a few months' time on australia's gold coast, or through bodies like the commonwealth youth orchestra choir, a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is. today, we celebrate christmas, which itself is sometimes described as a festival of the home. families travel long distances to be together. volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on christmas day. we remember the birth of jesus christ, whose only sanctuary was a stable in bethlehem. he knew rejection, hardship, and persecution. and yet, it is jesus christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad. whatever your own experience is this year, wherever and however you are watching, i wish you a peaceful and very happy christmas. ♪ [singing] announcer: washington journal's author series all this week on c-span, c-span.org, and c-span radio. ♪ announcer: c-span's student cap. the tweet -- student cam. the tweets say it all.

which begin in a few months‘ time on australia's gold coast — or through bodies like the commonwealth youth orchestra, a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is. today, we celebrate christmas, which itself is sometimes described as a festival of the home. families travel long distances to be together. volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on christmas day. we remember the birth ofjesus christ whose only sanctuary was a stable in bethlehem. he knew rejection, hardship and persecution, and yet it isjesus christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad. whatever your own experiences this year, wherever and however you are watching, i wish you a peaceful and very happy christmas. # it came upon the midnight clear # that glorious song of old # from angels bending near the earth # to touch their harps of gold # peace on the earth # goodwill to men # from heaven's all gracious king # the world in solemn stillness lay # to hear the angels sing # for lo, the days are haste