WASHINGTON — President Clinton was settling in for his last Christmas in the White House after a day spent like millions of other harried Americans, with last-minute shopping, church services and a party.
At a "midnight" Mass at the National Cathedral, President Clinton received applause — and a few whistles — when the dean of the church, the Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, noted that it was Clinton's last service as president and asked the first family, seated in a front-row pew, to stand.
The audience read aloud a printed prayer:
"We pray for William our president and Albert our vice president and George our president-elect and Richard our vice president-elect, for the Congress and the Supreme Court and for all who lead where many follow, especially those who work for peace throughout the world," it said in part.
Earlier, the Rev. Ronald H. Haines delivered a sermon on social justice, saying, "The coming of Jesus is a sure and certain sign that no one is too poor to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God."
A group of Palestinian demonstrators stood quietly outside the historic church as the president walked in. "Pray for the people of Bethlehem," read one sign.
The service ended shortly before midnight and the Clintons were driven back to the White House.
Clinton also held to his own personal traditions of last-minute shopping and partying with trusted friends at the home of Washington power broker Vernon Jordan. Clinton received a set of golf clubs at the party.
The president had started the day with first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton beside him at Foundry Methodist Church. After the service, Clinton, with a Santa Claus pin fastened to his suit, deflected reporters' questions on the Middle East and President-elect George W. Bush's appointment of conservative Sen. John Ashcroft as attorney general.
"Oh, it's Sunday," he said. "Come on. It's Christmas Eve."
Seconds later, the president ordered his motorcade to stop for him to greet a bystander with a sign that read: "Merry Christmas Mr. President." Clinton signed the poster before leaving.
At Washington's MCI Center, the president joined daughter Chelsea to browse the Discovery Channel Destination Store's book and music section. "Merry Christmas," the president called out to shoppers.
Clinton then headed to the shops at Union Station, drawing a crowd to watch him browse the stores and carts in its East Hall. The president shook hands and posed for pictures, including one for Charles Kraus, owner of the U.S. Mint cart in Union Station.
Kraus said it was his third year getting a picture taken with Clinton during a Union Station shopping spree. "Make sure I get it," he admonished the White House photographer.
Clinton's shopping spree ended with a couple of books, CD, a robotic dinosaur and a sweat shirt. He left Union Station carrying a couple of bags from the Appalachian Spring store, but it was not immediately known what he purchased.