National Christmas Tree Aglow With Good Tidings
The new National Christmas Tree is settling in for the cold winter ahead on the grass just south of the White House in Washington, D.C. The lighting of the tree by President Obama and his family marked the national start of the Christmas season. On Thursday just after dark, the good tidings this Christmas season brings to you and your kin were first felt with the recently announced drop in unemployment rates. The unemployment rates fell to 8.6% in November.
The Christmas Tree is a 26-foot Colorado blue spruce that was planted in March in the park that lies between the White House and the National Mall. The previous National Christmas Tree was toppled by ill-blowing winds. The previous tree stood in the park since 1978.
President Obama's speech was a message of generosity this Christmas season: “In this season of hope, let's help those who need it most: the homeless, the hungry, the sick and shut-in. In this season of plenty, let's reach out to those who struggle to find work or provide for their families.”
The lighting ceremony was attended by the first lady, Michelle Obama, his daughters Sasha and Malia, and his mother-in-law Marian Robinson. The first lady read from Clement Clarke Moore's poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” with Kermit the Frog, one of the stars of the recently premiered Disney movie “The Muppets.”
Carson Daly, from television, hosted the event. The event included performances of Christmas carols and tunes by pop group Big Time Rush, English singer Ellie Goulding, pop band OneRepublic, country singer Rodney Atkins, soul songtress Marsha Ambrosius, and an ensemble of the United States Air Force called Airmen of Note.
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