Copyright 2009 Alex Wong / Getty Images

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha stepped out onto the White House lawn on Thursday night to join Santa in the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Before the President pressed the button to light the tree, he said, in part, "On behalf of Michelle and Malia and Sasha and my mother-in-law, Mama Robinson -- I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May you go out with joy, and be led forth in peace."

The President continued, "And now, to the serious business of pressing the button and lighting this beautiful tree. So, guys, come up here. I need some assistance. I'm technologically challenged and I might not get this right. So we're going to do a countdown, starting from five. Everybody has got to help me out here. Five, four, three, two, one -- ho! It worked!"