Bo steals the show at Michelle Obama's holiday reading

• Bo hopped up on the first lady's lap and stayed there for the duration
• The Obamas' dog also is featured on the White House Christmas card
• The first family touched on the joy of giving and "the joy of homecomings" in their annual holiday message

Christmas is the time to pull the focus from the first lady.

If you're Bo, the first dog, that is. Days after being featured on the White House Christmas card, Bo stole the show while Michelle Obama read a classic Christmas story to children in Washington.

In a newly released video from the White House, the first lady can be seen preparing to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Children's National Medical Center on Dec. 18 — a tradition for first ladies since the 1950s — when Bo took a giant leap and ended up on mom's lap, paws akimbo.

"This is exactly what he does at home. He tries to beat Malia and Sasha to my lap," Obama said with a laugh before beginning to read to the gathered children. (Bo stayed put, happily oversized on his perch.)

On Saturday, the president released a holiday message with Michelle by his side. The two touched on those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the joy of giving "and of course, the joy of homecomings," the first lady said.

"That's right. This weekend parents are picking up their kids from college and making room for all the laundry they bring with them," President Obama joked.

Obama then took a minute to acknowledge military families. "The war in Iraq is over. The transition in Afghanistan is underway. And after a decade of war, our heroes are coming home. All across America, military families are reuniting. So this week, let's give thanks for our veterans and their families. And let's say a prayer for all our troops — especially those in Afghanistan — who are spending this holiday overseas, risking their lives to defend the freedoms we hold dear."