US President George Bush said today the nation grieved for the victims of the September 11 attacks, reaching out to those who will spend the holidays "without a husband or a wife, or a father or a mother, or son or daughter."
"Our nation shares their grief," Mr Bush said.
In his weekly radio address, Mr Bush praised Congress for passing his signature tax cut and education reform plans. He lamented that the Senate failed to approve his economic stimulus package.
"I'm hopeful that the positive spirit of bipartisan accomplishment that guided much of this year's success will prevail when Congress returns early next year," he said.
But the president said America's focus this holiday season was on those who lost so much in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and on the war on terrorism.
"This Christmas comes just months after a great national loss," said Mr Bush, who traveled to the Camp David presidential retreat with his wife Laura to spend the holiday with family.
"We find ourselves appreciating more than ever the things that matter most - our families, our friends, and our faith. We count our blessings, and we remember all those who feel loss, separation and need," he added.
At an Olympic torch ceremony at the White House earlier today, Elizabeth Anderson Howell, who lost her husband Brady when a hijacked jet plowed into the Pentagon, passed the Olympic flame to Mr Bush with tears in her eyes.
"We pray for peace and comfort for you and your family," Mr Bush told her.
The president also used his radio address to thank the thousands of US troops spending Christmas in Afghanistan.
"We are grateful to every military family for the sacrifice they are making for America. We owe them much," he said.
Mr Bush said Americans were helping neighbors in need this holiday season.
"The year now ending saw a few acts of terrible evil," he said. "It also saw many more acts of courage and kindness and love."