Clinton’s Last Presidential Christmas Sticks to Tradition

President Clinton settled in for his last Christmas in the White House after a day spent like millions of other harried Americans, with last-minute shopping, church services and a party.

For Christmas dinner at the White House, he and his family shared a meal of roast turkey, fresh cooked pepper ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, roasted vegetables and corn-bread stuffing. The Clintons exchanged gifts in private. White House spokesman Daniel Cruise said he did not know what the presents were.

At a “midnight” mass at the National Cathedral the night before, President Clinton received applause--and a few whistles--when the dean of the church, the Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, noted that it was Clinton’s last service as president and asked the first family, seated in a front-row pew, to stand.

The audience read aloud a printed prayer:

“We pray for William our president and Albert our vice president and George our president-elect and Richard our vice president-elect, for the Congress and the Supreme Court and for all who lead where many follow, especially those who work for peace throughout the world,” it said in part.

A group of Palestinian demonstrators stood quietly outside the historic church as the president walked in. “Pray for the people of Bethlehem,” read one sign.

The service ended shortly before midnight, and the Clintons were driven back to the White House.

Clinton also held to his own personal traditions of last-minute shopping and partying with trusted friends at the home of Washington power broker Vernon E. Jordan Jr. Clinton received a set of golf clubs at the party.

The president had started the day with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton beside him at Foundry Methodist Church. After the service, Clinton, with a Santa Claus pin fastened to his suit, deflected reporters’ questions on the Middle East and President-elect George W. Bush’s appointment of conservative Sen. John Ashcroft as attorney general.

“Oh, it’s Sunday,” he said. “Come on. It’s Christmas Eve.”

Seconds later, the president ordered his motorcade to stop so he could greet a bystander with a sign that read: “Merry Christmas Mr. President.” Clinton signed the poster before leaving.

At Washington’s MCI Center, the president joined his daughter, Chelsea, to browse the Discovery Channel Destination Store’s book and music section. He then headed to the shops at Union Station, drawing a crowd to watch him browse the stores and carts in its East Hall. The president shook hands and posed for pictures.