Bidens make traditional pre-Christmas visit to children's hospital

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden joined his wife, first lady Jill Biden, on Friday for a Christmas visit to Children's National Hospital to meet with young patients and their families.

The first lady read to the children, “It was the night before Christmas,” as the president waved and smiled at the children and their relatives. President Biden also thanked hospital staff for their work and encouraged the children and their parents to “keep the faith.”

“Maybe when I see you next Christmas I'll see you in the White House,” Biden told the children.

The visit continued an 81-year annual tradition dating back to First Lady Bess Truman, in which presidents' wives brought holiday cheer to children too sick to be home for Christmas. President Biden has accompanied his wife on her holiday visits to Children's National each of the past three years.

The Bidens will travel to the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, on Saturday, where they will remain until Christmas Day.