‘Christmas’ Returns to the Capitol

Comments (13)

By Ryan Rose, The Sacramento Union

Published: December 3, 2004

Ending a five-year tradition started by his predecessor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger brought the word “Christmas” back to Sacramento.

Known for breaking the mold, the Republican governor is calling the 56-foot white fir outside the Capitol a “Christmas tree.” Former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis had renamed the display a “Holiday tree” in 1999. Schwarzenegger continued the tradition during his first holiday in office, but rescinded the policy after hearing requests from Sen. William Knight, R-Palmdale. When the senator died last spring, Schwarzenegger said the Capitol would have a “Christmas tree” as long as he’s in office.

Sticking to his promise, Schwarzenegger frequently used the word “Christmas” during Thursday’s annual tree lighting ceremony. Ariana Pole, a 7-year-old living with cerebral palsy, placed the last ornament on the tree and first lady Maria Shriver flipped the switch, powering 5,000 tiny lights that circled the white fir.

Photo by Ryan Rose/The Union

"Maria Inspired many to remember that the love for each other is what makes a great Christmas. Thank You Maria, you are a great First Lady of California."
-> Posted by Walter of Sacramento / Dec 04, 2007

"I picked up literature (flyer from the visitor center) today that says the lighting takes place on Nov. 21 from 5-8. I was checking on details, but don't see a time-line."
-> Posted by Brent / Nov 14, 2007

"When is the lighting of the Christmas Tree this year (2007)?

I don't want to miss it -- but I keep looking and don't see it advertised yet."
-> Posted by Joanne / Nov 08, 2007

"Due to popular demand, the song inspired by this story has been re-released as a free/royalty-free mp3 via this new link:

http://www.drblt.net/music/arnoldxmas.mp3"
-> Posted by Dr. BLT / Nov 18, 2006

"Evergreens symbolized life amidst cold and darkness for pagans long before Christians adopted the custom in their own way in Medeival times.

An argument from "tradition" does not hold water unless one conciously ignores (or is ignorant of) the pre-Christian history of holiday trees.

Links: http://www.walkthroughlife.com/Holidays/christmas/facts.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree"
-> Posted by K. Schultz / Dec 22, 2005

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger + Christmas Tree=Holidays"
-> Posted by Cathy Viviano / Dec 03, 2005

"My song about Arnold's bold move to go against the grain of political correctness by calling the tree in Sacramento a Christmas tree as opposed to a "holiday tree," is available to all poltically incorrect folks to download for free here, along with a song Gary Bauer told me was bound to become a seasonal classic. Both can be downloaded for free below:

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Dr. B.L.T.!

Arnold’s Christmas Tree
http://www.drblt.com/freesong.htm

For information on the CD: Dr. B.L.T.’s Greatest Prospective Christmas Hits: Volume I and the CD, Right-wingers Need Love Too, visit:

http://www.drblt.com/"
-> Posted by Dr. B.L.T. / Dec 19, 2004

"Congratulations to the Governor. What is a "holiday tree?" Which other December holiday employs a tree as part of its celebration? Will there be a lighting of a "holiday menorah?" Uprooting traditions from their religious foundations is a disservice to both Christians and Jews."
-> Posted by mitchell keiter / Dec 13, 2004

"I was so inspired by this article, that I wrote and recorded a song that praises Arnold for going against the grain of political correctness by renaming the what once was California's "Holiday tree," but is now officially a Christmas tree. If anyone wants to hear my new song, "Arnold's Christmas Tree," it should be available on my website as a free downloadable jingle single by December 10, 2004.

www.drblt.com
Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen, a.k.a. Dr. B.L.T."
-> Posted by Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen / Dec 06, 2004

"Governor Schwarzenegger called the tree a Christmas Tree last year (December 10, 2003)...on 1380 KTKZ, we asked him to do so following the recall election - as a gift to the city.

Last year, we had battling press releases from Arnold's office on December 9th, first it was called a "Holiday Tree", then a follow-up release two hours later that called it a "Christmas Tree".

At the lighting last year, the Governor said, "now let's light this Christmas Tree..." (KTKZ aired the actual sound of the event.)

Read my blog in the "Union Blog", entitled "Arnold's Christmas Gift" to learn more.

All of this to say...he called it a Christmas Tree last year, December 10th, 2003. This is not a story, just a reconditioned one from last year's story that was MISSED by the media.

Listen to 1380 KTKZ for stories and topics like this...mornings 5-9AM, thanks."
-> Posted by Eric Hogue / Dec 05, 2004

"To Ryan Rose,

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger did not break with tradition, Gray Davis did.

Tradition: 1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation...

Holiday tree is not in the dictionary, Gray Davis just made it up.

A dictionary is a wondeful thing."
-> Posted by J.T. Calcagno / Dec 05, 2004

"Thank you Mr. Governor for having the strength to stand up and allow things no matter how small to return to normal if but for a short while. I believe that tranditions are what countries are based upon and that no one group should have the right to shred those that have been established in a country that has adopted you. To me this is a small step back to sanity."
-> Posted by P Courts / Dec 04, 2004

"How dare he (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger) call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree!

Recycle Gray Davis and bring back nonsense to the Capitol."
-> Posted by John Thomas / Dec 04, 2004