8. Christmas Day included another work session following the celebrations
On Christmas Day, Churchill eschewed his usual morning routine to join the President, Eleanor Roosevelt, and other guests including Admiral Dudley Pound of the Royal Navy at church. The President’s children and grandchildren were not present; all of his sons were in the military, and his daughter had remained at home in Seattle, Washington. The President and his entourage went to Foundry Methodist Church on 16th Street in Northwest Washington, just a couple of blocks from the White House, the Prime Minister and President sitting side-by-side. It was one of the occasions when the President walked, using a stick for support as well as the strong arm of an aide as he struggled up the aisle to his seat in the fourth row. Whenever he appeared in public, Roosevelt either remained in whatever vehicle conveyed him or walked, keeping his wheelchair hidden from the public.
Christmas Dinner at the White House was a lengthy affair, attended by Churchill and other houseguests. It included several courses, though the reputation of the White House kitchens was poor at the time. Visitors often commented on the blandness of the food they prepared. Churchill did not, no doubt ruefully impressed at the plenty spread out before him. Between church and dinner, another work session took place, with discussions about the Japanese attacks on Singapore. After dinner, the guests were invited to watch the film Oliver Twist. Churchill sat through the first reel before excusing himself, returning to his rooms to work on the speech he was to give the following day before a joint session of Congress. No sitting Prime Minister of Great Britain had ever addressed the Congress, a fact which Churchill noted in the text he prepared.