Obama lights new national Christmas tree outside White House

Dec 2, 2011, 14:33 GMT

Washington - Hundreds of holiday revellers flocked to the White House Thursday to watch President Barack Obama lighting the National Christmas tree, but there was a new element in the tradition this year: the tree.

The lighting of a living tree, planted on the Ellipse, a grassy lawn adjacent to the White House grounds, has been a tradition for decades. A wind storm in February blew over the 13-metre, 46-year-old Colorado blue spruce that was planted there in 1978, and the White House had to find a replacement.

'This story is bigger than any single tree,' Obama said, expounding on the history of Christmas and its commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

He stressed the importance of keeping Christ's message - love thy neighbour - central to the holiday, calling on Americans to reach out to help the less fortunate and to welcome home US soldiers returning from Iraq.

Obama was jointed by his wife, Michelle, daughters, Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson, to help him press the button to light up the newly planted blue spruce, which is about half as tall as its predecessor.

'This is the new tree,' he said. 'I know it's not as big as the old tree. It's going to take some time to grow.'

As the lights flashed on, Obama remarked: 'That's a good looking tree.'