Merry Christmas! President Trump & First Lady Light Up President's Park at National Christmas Lighting Ceremony

Nick Kangadis | December 6, 2019
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It’s my favorite time of year, which means that Christmas tree lighting ceremonies have been happening in the last week or two since Thanksgiving came and went. One of the more famous tree lighting ceremonies occurred on Thursday evening at President’s Park, which encompasses the White House grounds.

President Donald Trump was there to deliver a speech that accompanied the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, which was done by First Lady Melania Trump.

Trump’s speech was preceded by the Commander-in-Chief giving thanks to the “incredible workers at the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service” for helping in setting up the scene, as well as many others who participated in the event.

The president delivered what amounted to, in total a little over five minute speech that spoke of the history and true meaning of Christmas, along with thanks and acknowledgement for active military and veterans and those who through their charity made an impact in 2019.

Here’s part of the president’s speech:

More than 2,000 years ago, a brilliant star shone in the East. Wise men traveled far, far, afield — I mean they were a long distance away — and they came and they stood with us under the star, where they found the holy family in Bethlehem. As the Bible tells us, when the wise men had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped him.

Christians give thanks that the son of God came into the world to save humanity. Jesus Christ inspires us to love one another with hearts full of generosity and grace.

While the ceremony happened on Thursday evening, the broadcast of the event will be shown on REELZ and Ovation on December 9th at 8 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET, respectively.

Here’s a little extra information on this year’s tree presentation, according to the National Park Foundation:

Last month, the National Park Service planted a new National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. The new tree is a 30-foot Colorado blue spruce from Palmyra, Pa., and will be lit for the first time during this year’s ceremony. In addition, 56 smaller trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree will feature one-of-a-kind ornaments, representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.

If you’d like to watch the president’s portion of the ceremony, watch below:

 

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