8:45 p.m. EST December 15, 2013  WASHINGTON -- Christmas got a presidential seal of approval Sunday night.The Backstreet Boys opened TNT's Christmas in Washington concert with a medley of their original holiday songs, Christmas Time and It's Christmas Time Again. President Obama, Mrs. Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia looked on.

Also on the lineup at the 32nd annual holiday concert: Hugh Grant, Sheryl Crow, Janelle Monae, Anna Kendrick and Pat Monahan. Grant served as host for this year's festivities,which benefits the Children's National Health System. President and Mrs. Obama were front and center for the holiday fun, and the American Family Choir, Washington Youth Choir and AFTRA Choir accompanied the star singing talent. Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and analyst for TNT's Inside the NBA, made a special guest appearance.

After noting that Christmas is a "time for warmth of family and friends," Jackman pointed out that he is the first Australian to host Christmas in Washington. "Even TNT is outsourcing these days," he joked.

Jackman said he wasn't sure what to get the Obamas, but decided on a "gift that speaks to the true meaning of Christmas: a box set of all seven X-Men and Wolverine movies."

Kendrick, who was just in Washington one week ago to perform at the Kennedy Center Honors, was up next, singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Monahan sang Merry Christmas Baby, and Crow crooned the classic, Please Come Home for Christmas.

Monae sang This Christmas, and then the entire lineup came together for a closing medley when Jackman put his voice on display during Angels We Have Heard On High. Then President Obama and Mrs. Obama took to the stage.

Obama pointed out that while he loves getting Christmas presents, it's "a time to remember the story of a child born to two faithful travelers on earth." He said this time of year brings "a message of hope." "We wish this holiday season, and all holiday seasons, peace on earth."

The evening ended as it has in years past: with the Obamas, the star-studded lineup and the audience singing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

During rehearsals earlier in the evening, the Backstreet Boys, who are celebrating 20 years of being together, said the holidays are a time to focus on their families.

"We're all with our families (during the holidays). That's our holiday gift to each other: peace of mind and separation for a second because we're always together," said A.J. McLean. "We have a really unique dynamic," says Brian Littrell of the group's longevity. "It's something that we're really proud of."

Of the holidays, they all have special plans. "This will be my daughter's second Christmas...now she's all about opening up presents, so that's really cool," says McLean. As for Nick Carter, he'll be celebrating the holiday with his fiance, Lauren Kitt. "We've taken some (past) traditions and we're also starting new ones," says Carter. "She's half Mexican, so we'll be eating tamales on Christmas. She introduced that to me, and then I introduced her to Charlie Brown Christmas, which I love watching."

Howie Dourough will be attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve with his family, "then we come back and my mom makes a bunch of Spanish traditional foods...then the adults actually open gifts the night before, and then we get things ready at my mom's house for the kids the next morning."

Christmas in Washington will air as a special at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Dec. 20 on TNT.