Joe and Jill Biden deliver Christmas message detailing COVID miseries

President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, released a Christmas Day message to Americans calling it a ‘very difficult year’ and detailing a number of COVID-19 miseries.   

‘Many of our fellow Americans are struggling to find work, literally put food on the table, pay their rent or their mortgage,’ the president-elect said. ‘Many families are facing their first Christmas having lost a loved one. And Joe and I know that sorrow,’ the incoming first lady added. 

Their gloomy message stood in contrast to the video put out by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on Christmas Eve that painted a sunnier picture thanks to the coronavirus vaccine.  

President-elect Joe Biden (left) and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden (right), released a Christmas video Friday, calling 2020 a ‘very difficult year’ and detailing a number of COVID-19 miseries 

The Bidens’ message came one day after President Donald Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump (right) put out a video that cheered on the COVID-19 vaccine news 

‘We are delivering millions of doses of a safe and effective vaccine that will soon end this terrible pandemic and save millions and millions of lives. We are grateful for all of the scientists, researchers, manufacturing workers and servicemembers who have worked tirelessly to make this breakthrough possible,’ the president said. 

‘It is truly a Christmas miracle,’ he added. 

The incoming president is spending Christmas at home in Wilmington, Delaware, while Trump traveled to Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Florida resort. 

In the days running up to the holiday, Biden had pleaded with Americans not to travel.  

The president-elect didn’t even cross the state of Delaware – like he did on Thanksgiving – to spend the holiday at his Rehoboth Beach home. 

The Biden-Harris transition team put out a cheekier video on Christmas Eve featuring incoming first dogs Champ (left) and Major (right) Biden 

‘For the Bidens we usually have 20 to 25 people over Christmas Eve for dinner, but not this year,’ Joe Biden said in Friday’s Christmas message. ‘We’re going to miss our family, but it’s what we need to do to keep our family safe.’

‘We hope you’ll consider eliminating travel and the size of family gatherings as well this year,’ the president-elect added. 

Jill Biden pointed out, ‘We celebrate apart, but not alone.’ 

‘Even as our celebrations are dimmed, we know that this won’t be forever and brighter days are coming soon,’ she also offered. 

The Biden transition had released a cheekier holiday video on Christmas Eve, featuring the incoming two first dogs – Champ and Major Biden.

In the spot, a more subdued Champ sits under the Christmas tree, while a wild Major runs around the house with toys.  

‘No matter how you celebrate, Merry Christmas,’ a message from the dogs read.