Obama Family Attends National Christmas Tree Lighting

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Assisted by his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha, President Obama lit the National Christmas Tree in front of the White House last night.

The tradition of the National Christmas Tree began in 1923 when President Coolidge lit a 48-foot Balsam fir on Christmas Eve. The current tree – a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce – has stood near the White House since 1978, and has been lit by five different presidents and their families.

Addressing the crowd at the tree-lighting ceremony President Obama said: “And so during a time in which we try our hardest to live with a spirit of charity and goodwill, we remember our brothers and sisters who have lost a job or are struggling to make ends meet. We pray for the men and women in uniform serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and in faraway places who can’t be home this holiday season. And we thank their families, who will mark this Christmas with an empty seat at the dinner table.”

He added, “On behalf of Malia, Sasha, Michelle, Marian — who’s our grandmother-in-chief — and Bo — don’t forget Bo — I wish all of you a merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season.”

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About Tanya Brothen

Tanya Brothen is a blogging enthusiast who began writing for the web on a whim. Now it’s her job.||She recently received a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and works as a New Media Officer for the State Department. Tanya not only writes for By the People, but also acts as the blog’s organizer, keeping everyone on topic and on time. To demonstrate her understanding of democracy, she holds regular blog team meetings and usually listens to what the others have to say.

12 thoughts on “Obama Family Attends National Christmas Tree Lighting”

  1. MONSIEUR LE PRESIDENT.
    Nous vous souhaitons de bonnes fêtes et au brave peuple US.
    Une grande Amitié entre nos deux peuples.
    Mariette

  3. Bonnes Fêtes de fin d’année Mr et Mme Obama, leurs filles et à Tout le peuple américain, que Dieu vous garde.

  4. Excellent Monsieur le Président,

    Mes enfants et moi vous souhaitons très bonnes fêtes de noël et fin d année.
    Que Dieu Tout Puissant vous protège ainsi que votre famille.
    Qu il vous assiste dans ces lourdes tâches.
    Mon rêve, vous rencontrer avec mes enfants

    Bisous aux petites princesses et à la très belle première dame américaine

  5. MORE POWER TO YOU MR. PRESIDENT AND MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND FRANCE AND TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

  6. KUDOS MR. PRESIDENT AND MORE POWER TO YOU.
    MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND TO THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!
    VIVE L’AMERIQUE, LA FRANCE ET DANS LE MONDE ENTIER.

  7. Merry christmas mr. president, and happy new year, God bless your familly.
    Que l’eternel vous accorde une santé fer dans toute vos entreprises.

  8. We wish to America and to You and your familly Mr President a Merry Chrismast and a Happy New Year.
    God Bless America.
    Jean Louis

  9. To you Mr President and your family, receive our best wishes in this holiday season.

    May God bless you and your family, America as well as the rest of the world.

    We wish that 2011 will be a better year.

    From 2 houstonian living abroad.

  10. Probably, I exaggerate… But, considering a photo, it seemed to me that the Barrack has raised a hand to welcome me!?

    Interesting, and how he has guessed, what I till now without work?…

    All the same – it is pleasant…

    Yes, by the way, we with mum wish you and to your relatives of the world and good – let the world and good will enter into each heart in America!…

    The note: buy the Sachet (from me (!)) – and let she will treat a small chocolate it of the first American unfamiliar to it, can be it will is happy!!!

  11. Mr President;
    It has become very clear to all of us as to how difficult it is to govern in an increasingly fragile environment.May the Lord bless you and your family and more specifically give you the wisdom of the great king Salomon.

  12. That was a cool stuff…Informative as well…During the search for Christmas related blogs, I came across another blog which has a wonderful description of Christmas tree and a few related patents…Below mentioned is an excerpt of the mentioned article.

    “It is a busy world and a busy life. People are in a hurry to earn their living and achieve some thing in life. During the rush to fulfill their dreams, they hardly find time to catch up with their loved ones and even forget to enjoy life. That is the point where festivals play a significant role. Nowadays festivals are the only occasions during which people reunite with their dear ones and find some time to enjoy regardless of their hectic schedules. One of such a festival – Christmas has come.

    Christmas is a joyous festival. People round the globe celebrate this holy festival throughout the week. They catch up with their family, hang around with their friends and so on. Christmas trees…. “Read more at http://www.sinapseblog.com/2010/12/decorated-christmas-trees.html

    Merry X’mas