奥巴马总统携家人点亮国家圣诞树

Surrounded by celebrity performers and characters from the North Pole, the Obama family on Thursday led a countdown and lighted the National Christmas Tree.

First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha helped President Barack Obama press a button to light the tree, an annual tradition since the 1920s. "I'm technologically challenged and I might not get this right," the president joked. "Everybody has got to help me out here."

The Obamas and the spectators counted down from five, and the red and yellow lights came alive on the 40-foot Colorado blue spruce growing on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. "It worked," Obama shouted.

Performers including singer Sheryl Crow, hip hop artist Common and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks dazzled the crowd, bundled in coats and scarves.

"I told Sasha we're not on 'American Idol,'" the president said at one point. The Obama family and Vice President Joe Biden and his grandchildren watched from seats beside the stage, behind a clear protective shielding.

The characters Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus also joined the celebration, saying it was their "date night."

"You know what I'm talking about," Mrs. Claus told the Obamas, referring to the couple's nights out on the town together. The president later met Santa Claus on stage and briefly danced with him.

Before the tree was lit, Obama said its story might be Christian but its lesson is universal.

"It represents a tradition that we celebrate as a country — a tradition that has come to represent more than any one holiday or religion, but a season of brotherhood and generosity to our fellow citizens," he said.

He said it's important to remember those who have lost their jobs and homes in this season as well as military service members and their families who are apart during the holidays. "We will be thinking of you and praying for you during this holiday season," he said.

Every president has presided over the tree lighting since Calvin Coolidge in 1923. The current National Christmas Tree was planted on the Ellipse in 1978.
本周四，奥巴马一家在著名艺人和北极来客的陪同下，一起喊着倒计时，点亮了“国家圣诞树”。

奥巴马在第一夫人米歇尔和女儿玛丽亚、萨莎的帮助下，按下按钮，点亮了圣诞树，这项一年一度的传统始于上世纪20年代。奥巴马总统开玩笑说：“这个在技术上对我来说是个挑战，我可能搞不定，大家要帮我哦。”

奥巴马总统一家和围观者们从五倒数至一，只见一棵40英尺高的科罗拉多蓝云杉树上的红黄色灯都亮了起来。这株云杉树生长在白宫南面以外的椭圆广场。奥巴马喊道：“成功了！”

当天出席圣诞树点灯仪式的艺人包括歌手雪儿．克罗、嘻哈歌手“凡夫俗子”（Common）和“美国偶像”冠军乔丁．斯帕克斯，他们的表演让观众倾倒。观看表演的观众们穿着棉衣，戴着围巾，裹得严严实实。

奥巴马说：“我跟萨莎说，我们这可不是在‘美国偶像’的现场。”奥巴马及其家人、副总统乔．拜登和他的孙辈们坐在舞台旁的一个防风屏后观看表演。

圣诞老人和他的夫人也参加了当天的点灯仪式，并称这是他们的“约会之夜”。

圣诞夫人对奥巴马总统一家说：“你们明白我的意思。”她指的是奥巴马夫妇的浪漫夜游。之后，奥巴马总统在舞台上会见了圣诞老人，还和他跳了会儿舞。

在圣诞树点亮之前，奥巴马说，虽然圣诞节可能和基督教有关，但它的意义却是普世的。

他说：“圣诞节代表我们举国庆祝的一个传统，这个传统的意义不仅在于一个节日或某个宗教，还是我们全国同胞表达手足之情和慷慨之心的一个节日。”

他说，在这个时候，我们应该心存那些失去工作和无家可归的人们，以及那些远在异国服役的士兵们，这一点很重要。他说：“在佳节来临之时，我们会想着你们，并为你们祈祷。”

总统主持圣诞树点灯仪式的传统始于1923年卡尔文．柯立芝总统执政期间。现在的这棵国家圣诞树是1978年在椭圆广场栽种的。

Vocabulary:

dazzle: to amaze, overwhelm, or bewilder with spectacular display 使惊羡，使赞叹不已（The fireworks on July 4th dazzled us. 七月四日独立纪念日放的烟火使我们赞叹不已。）