White House Christmas: Obama Family Lights The National Christmas Tree (PHOTOS)

Early Thursday evening the Obamas and the Bidens gathered to light the National Christmas Tree. "Ho! It worked," exclaimed President Obama after pressing the button to switch on the lights.

Michelle Obama read aloud from "T'was the Night Before Christmas."

Photos of the lighting below. We'll be adding pictures as the event continues, plus, check out National Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies from past administrations.

• • • • • • • • • • • The National Christmas Tree on Thursday night

Photos of Michelle Obama and the girls receiving the tree last week, below:

• • • • • •

Comments

[preatorius]

03:37 PM on 12/24/2009

When you look at the photos over the years, it it great to see how things have changed. The White House has become more inclusive.

Merry Christmas!

[rsprags]

01:21 AM on 12/08/2009

I love all the Christmas photos and the WH atmosohere; this is all wonderful for our country!

[babyboomerorig]

09:42 AM on 12/06/2009

We have a beautiful First Family.

Malia is almost as tall as Michele....she's only 11....Sasha has such expressive eyes...

It's absolutely heart warming to watch this family be a family.

[InquiringMind1]

03:11 PM on 12/04/2009

Obamas Light National Christmas Tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4uICocZ3sA

[Cakey4814]

02:19 PM on 12/04/2009

Umm..wh christmas..Obama family...so why is the last pix of the the Bush's?

[jazabelz]

04:19 PM on 12/04/2009

So all the trolls on this site wouldn't say that only Obama has spent money on a Christmas Tree!

[Bafun]

06:30 PM on 12/04/2009

in time of war...LOL. Right!

[GoDems2012]

12:10 PM on 12/04/2009

Merry Christmas everyone!

[mssreader]

12:43 PM on 12/05/2009

Happy Holidays to one and all!

('ve friends who are Christians, Jewish, Buddhists and non-believers and love them all.)

[sarah2010]

12:01 PM on 12/04/2009

The girls are so cute. It's really great to have a family with young kids in the White House. They are adorable.

[jingles32]

03:13 PM on 12/04/2009

Sasha's face is sooo experssive! Her eyes got so wide as the tree lights went on! hehe What a cutie! Such a lovely family!

[lemondade]

10:46 AM on 12/04/2009

WHY IS THE CHRISTMAS TREE WAGON DRIVER SO GROUCHY LOOKING!? "MERRY CHRISTMAS" IS NOT ON HIS FACE!? THAT IS JUST NOT RIGHT!!!

[wigcon]

11:21 AM on 12/04/2009

Still yelling.

[mssreader]

12:45 PM on 12/05/2009

I would disagree with your remark, "that is just not right" as that is a judgement call. He could be sick, recovering from cancer, his arthritis hurts in the cold. Who knows his problems so best to wish him a happy holiday and hope he's ok. That is much more the holiday season instead of proclaiming "it's just not right? Just not right for whom? You?

[TheStreamAlwaysWins]

10:19 AM on 12/04/2009

Wonderful! Now Prez, go get them jobs. We know you can do it!

[Marrymeplease]

08:14 PM on 12/05/2009

Can the Congress and Senate help the President try to get them jobs for the people?

[MorgaineChya]

04:56 AM on 12/07/2009

Do you mean, "Can they do it FOR Obama because if someone doesn't do it for him, it's not going to get done because, obviously, it simply is not a priority for him"?

[levoyageur]

10:10 AM on 12/04/2009

beautiful family. it looks like malia grew an inch taller!

[goosie29]

12:39 PM on 12/04/2009

Yup! With "womanly" curves and all. BO better get ready!

[jingles32]

03:16 PM on 12/04/2009

At 11 no less! She's a beauty! (I laugh out loud imagining BO's reaction the first time she brings a beau home to meet Dad! hehe)

[unam]

10:06 AM on 12/04/2009

great pics. sheryl crow's singing was great. does she have a chistmas cd?

[sweetwhine]

10:05 AM on 12/04/2009

Who invited The Grinch (Bush)?

[SoccerNana]

04:07 PM on 12/04/2009

HP, its their site remember?

[yearlin]

08:55 AM on 12/04/2009

i like grannies white coat

[sski74]

09:26 AM on 12/04/2009

Love it. Tres chic!

[KLordsha]

08:40 AM on 12/04/2009

We are privileged to have this family as our First family.

[sweetwhine]

09:22 AM on 12/04/2009

Indeed we are.

[VOTER]

08:15 AM on 12/04/2009

What is with including GW and Laura photos?

GAG!

[ljuphoff]

08:32 AM on 12/04/2009

My thoughts exactly. They are gone. Let them remaing "gone."

[t iessa]

01:19 PM on 12/04/2009

Maybe they thought since the 'bots talk about them so much and won't let them go it would be of interest.

[KLordsha]

08:42 AM on 12/04/2009

Maybe they were going for a before and after effect. The difference is striking.

[faith2hope]

10:13 AM on 12/04/2009

They threw in those photos so they can keep small minded people fighting and throwing nasty comments. There is no real reason to show these photos other then to keep the hate fest going, when we have a President that is desperately trying to bring our country together there are some that work to keep it divided, even using a special occassion such as this to do so. Don't play the game, ignore it the less attention it gets then maybe they will stop forcing Cheney & Palin on us. Hey its Christmas one can hope that we can read HP one day and not see Palin's face on every section for a day.