The Obamas Light the National Christmas Tree for the Final Time

President Obama and his treasonous army of Kenyan-born socialists apparently called a truce in their shameful War on Christmas Thursday evening in order to allow the President to light the National Christmas Tree:




Of all the hateful lies perpetrated against President Obama, the charge that he's anti-Christmas is among the most preposterous. This year marks the eighth Christmas the Obamas have celebrated in the White House, and they sure seem to be animated by the holiday spirit each and every time. If you want to get real about things, using federal resources to celebrate Jesus's birth would seem to be a clear violation of the Establishment Clause in our Constitution's First Amendment. If the price for this violation involves replacing seven of ten "Merry Christmas" greetings with "Happy Holidays," I'm not sure that amounts to a "war" on Christmas in any sense of the word. Merry Christmas to the Obama Family, who have maintained the various White House holiday traditions and done us all proud.

See the Entire 2016 National Tree Lighting Ceremony

Preview the White House Holiday Decorations for 2016

President Obama and Crew Light the National Christmas Tree to Kick Off the Season

President Obama and his "crew" were on hand in Presidents' Park last evening to officially light the National Christmas Tree and kick off the 2015 holiday season. The annual tree-lighting ceremony dates back to 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a tree furnished by the District of Columbia Public Schools. This rich tradition has continued unabated for 93 years since then, under Republicans and Democrats, and in good times and bad. Of course, there have been changes. For example, the location has moved back and forth between the Ellipse on the Southern side of the White House to Lafayette Park opposite the Northern Portico. In recent years, the National Christmas Tree has remained in Lafayette Park. The style of lighting has also changed, from old-fashioned light bulbs to energy efficient LEDs. But the spirit of Christmas remains bright and alive, and this year's ceremony offered some much-needed hope during difficult times.

Crosby, Stills & Nash to Perform at National Tree Lighting this Thursday

CSN are (l to r): Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and David Crosby

I've heard tell that the holiday season doesn't begin in Washington, DC until the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in President's Park. This year's ceremony is set for this Thursday, December 3, beginning at 4:30 pm EST, and among the entertainers on hand to perform will be one group at least as iconic as the tree itself:  classic rock legends Crosby, Stills and Nash. I've been high on these guys since shortly after they first teamed up, and while I don't believe they have ever recorded so much as a single holiday tune among them, I expect them to be naturally gifted holiday entertainers. Of course, the fact that all three are still alive, relatively healthy and still performing together after 46 years is nothing short of a Christmas miracle. Moreover, they truly embody the Christmas spirit, for throughout their long careers all three have consistently donated their time, money and talents to a wide variety of worthy causes. Finally, they remain vital and talented entertainers. I've been watching them perform at least once every two or three years going back to the 1970s, and David Crosby, in particular, is sounding better than ever these days. Two years ago, I reported that the group had been exploring the idea of recording a holiday album. Maybe this gig will be the catalyst for just such a record.

Thursday's event will reportedly be rebroadcast on PBS television stations throughout December, so check your local listings for details.

Christmas in Full Gear at the White House

With Christmas just a little more than a week away, our elected officials in Washington are scrambling to wrap things up and get out of town. Sadly, more than a few of them will be coming back in January. At 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, however, the holiday spirit lingers in the air, for regardless of what party holds power, the White House has long been ground zero for our nation's Christmas celebration. This year's theme is "A Winter Wonderland," which attempts to capture the magic of the holidays through the eyes of its youngest citizens.

First Lady Michelle Obama kicked things off on Wednesday, December 3, with preview event that included some last-minute decorating and cookie-making by area children and their families. The First Lady truly shines in settings such as this, and I enjoyed listening to her describe the hard work involved in preparing the White House for the 65,000 guests expected to visit during the holidays:



The following evening, the First Family officiated at the ceremonial lighting of the National Christmas Tree. The video below opens with the actual tree-lighting, followed by an unspeakably grim recitation of A Visit from St. Nicholas (starting at 0:44) and (beginning at 4:05) some appropriate remarks from the President:




Late last week, the 2014 White House holiday card was officially unveiled. Designed by Connecticut artist Emily Buchanan, it features a view of the White House foyer, with first dogs Bo and Sunny patiently standing by:

2014 White House Holiday Card

I can't say I'm wild about this picture myself. It strikes me as cold, formal and austere.  (I much prefer the Obamas' card from 2011.) I do like the idea of including the dogs, however; and I like how the floor seems to slope downward toward the viewer like one of those two-dimensional depictions of the space-time continuum. (Perhaps there's a hidden meaning of some sort buried in this year's card? Damn the illuminati and their subtlety!)

For more information about this year's holiday-related activities at the White House, check out the Inside the White House Holidays 2014 web page, where you'll find downloadable do-it-yourself crafts, the 2014 Holiday Tour Book, and even the White House recipe for gingerbread cookies!

Rain-Soaked Washington Crowd Witnesses Lighting of the National Christmas Tree

Continuing a tradition launched 90 years ago by President Calvin Coolidge, President Obama and his family joined actress Jane Lynch and thousands of spirited citizens Friday evening for the traditional lighting of the National Christmas Tree. This annual ceremony takes place each year place on the Ellipse in our nation's capital, between the White House and the Washington Monument. This is the second year that the current tree has been used for the ceremony. It replaces a 42' Colorado blue spruce that was transplanted to the Ellipse in 1978, but had to be removed two years ago after sustaining serious damage in a severe wind storm. 

First Family Lights National Christmas Tree