"Take that, ye governors alleging a war on religion." wrote Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News in his pool report of the White House after reporting President Obama's remarks for the 'Christmas in Washington' special at the White House.

Gilman was referring to Texas Governor Rick Perry's recent campaign ad vowing to end Obama's "war on religion.

President Obama publicly attended church on Sunday, and spoke about Christ's birth during a Christmas concert program that included Jennifer Hudson, The Band Perry, and Justin Bieber.

President Obama reminded everyone there that "the manifestation of God's love" Jesus Christ was born more than 2000 years ago.

"For me and for millions of Americans, the story has filled our hearts and inspired our lives. It moves us to love one another, to help and serve those less fortunate, to forgive, to draw close to our families, to be grateful for all that has been given to us. To keep faith, and to hold on to an enduring hope in humanity." Obama added,  "Service to others; compassion to all; treating others as we wish ourselves to be treated -- those values aren’t just at the center of Christianity. Those are values that are shared by all faiths."

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The president concluded, "So tonight let us all rededicate ourselves to each other, and in that spirit, from my family to yours: Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America.”

The first family also attended church publicly on Sunday, at St. John's Episcopal Church just outside the White House.

According to the pool report, Rev. Luis Leon, preached about how people's expectations aren't always met, referring to those who thought John the Baptist was the Messiah. Leon then reminded the congregation that people unfairly excepted President Obama to be a Messiah, who could cure the country of all its ills.

"This is not a political diatribe by the way. It's simply stating the obvious," he joked.

The last time the family publicly attended church on Sunday was in April 2011 for Easter.