WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden brought festive joy to young patients and their families at Children’s National Hospital on Friday, where a lively toddler in a light blue jumper added extra fun to the occasion.

During their visit, the Bidens engaged in intimate moments with families and took photographs before Jill Biden entertained a group of patients by reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” in the hospital’s atrium. While she read, President Biden, seated next to her in a vibrant red chair, played catch with the playful toddler, making silly faces that elicited laughter from the child. At one point, he managed to coax the child to sit up in his chair for a brief moment of interaction.

After concluding the reading, Jill Biden cheerfully remarked about the combination of “reading and entertainment,” which prompted laughter from the audience.

The president then took a moment to express his thoughts, hoping to lift the spirits of the children during what he acknowledged as a challenging time spent in the hospital. “Keep the hope,” Biden emphasized. “You’re in our prayers, you’re in our thoughts, and thank you for letting us join you.”

This visit is part of a longstanding tradition that traces back to First Lady Bess Truman, where presidents’ spouses spread holiday cheer to children who are unable to celebrate Christmas at home due to illness. President Biden has been a steadfast companion in all four of his wife’s annual visits, a commitment that has garnered attention.

“We’ve never had a president join for four years in a row straight, so you have set a high bar,” remarked Michelle Riley-Brown, the president and CEO of the hospital, commending him on his continuous participation.