WASHINGTON – Christmas trees decorated with red bows, gold ornaments and white lights lined the hall at the National Building Museum (search) for a holiday pageant attended Sunday by President Bush and his wife, Laura.
The president spoke of the many service members who are far from home during the holiday season. "These families and the troops they love can be certain that they have the support and gratitude of our nation."
Bush made his brief remarks at a taping of the 23rd annual "Christmas in Washington" concert, which benefits the Children's National Medical Center (search) in the nation's capital.
"We continue to seek the promise of peace on earth and goodwill toward men," Bush said.
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (search) was also in attendance. Giuliani is a close friend of Bernard Kerik (search), the former New York police commissioner who had been nominated to lead the Homeland Security Department. Questions about an immigration problem involving a family housekeeper led Kerik to withdraw his nomination Friday night.
The concert, hosted by Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin, will be broadcast Dec. 15 on the TNT cable network. Performers included country singer LeAnn Rimes, "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard and pop singers Michael McDonald, Vanessa Williams and JoJo.
Also performing were the American Family Choir, the U.S. Army Band Herald Trumpets and Ian Fraser and the "Christmas in Washington" orchestra.
Earlier Sunday, Bush attended church and went mountain biking.
The Bushes attended services at St. John's Episcopal Church across Lafayette Park from the White House, waving to onlookers on the way in.
The Rev. Luis Leon's sermon was about Christmas and the Christmas season.
The Bushes returned to the White House after the service. The president changed into athletic attire for a morning of mountain biking in the countryside near Washington.
Bush rode his bike for more than an hour on the grounds of a Secret Service training facility in Beltsville, Md., near Washington.
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