Obama’s Christmas Starts With Holiday Calls to Service Members [Video]

President Obama and his family have been trying to start their Christmas vacation for the last week, but the political deadlock in Washington delayed the trip for a week. The Obama’s finally made it down to Hawaii on Friday and the president started the holiday by making phone calls to several service members on Christmas Eve.

The Washington Post reports that Obama called 10 service members on Christmas eve. He talked to two members from each branch of the military from his rented vacation home on the island Oahu in Hawaii where the first family is spending the holidays.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama also wished the country a Merry Christmas with a holiday video.

Obama said:

“As you gather with friends and family this weekend, Michelle, Malia, Sasha, and I – and of course Bo – want to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.”

Michelle added:

“It’s such a wonderful time of year. It’s time to honor the story of love and redemption that began 2000 years ago. A time to see the world through a child’s eyes and rediscover the magic that’s all around us… and a time to give thanks for the gifts that bless us every single day.”

Here’s Obama’s Christmas message.

The Washington Post reports that the Obamas are spending Christmas morning with close friends and family.