White House Already Planning For Christmas

The White House issued a press release yesterday announcing that planning for the 2019 Christmas season is already under way at the White House.  It invites applications from individuals interested in volunteering to decorate the White House or act as greeters during Holiday Open Houses.  It also invites musicians including high school bands, choirs, and Christmas-themed entertainers to apply to perform during the Holiday Open Houses in December.

White House Announces Annual Easter Egg Roll

The White House today announced this year's Easter Egg Festivities, which will be held next Monday.  The press release, supplementing information elsewhere on the White House website, says in part:

First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald J. Trump invite this year’s Easter Egg Roll attendees to enjoy a variety of activities, including the time-honored Egg Roll and the Trump Administration’s Cards for Troops station.  New to the Egg Roll this year: musical eggs and Be Best hopscotch.  In recognition of the First Lady’s Be Best campaign, children will also have the opportunity to spread kindness by mailing postcards to anyone they choose – friends, family, members of the military – directly through a United States Postal Service mailbox that will be on the South grounds.

White House Christmas Decorations Unveiled

On Monday the White House issued a press release and accompanying video on the this year's White House Christmas decorations which reflect the theme "American Treasures".  The press release reads in part:

“This is a joyous time of year when we decorate the White House for the Christmas Season,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “Our theme honors the heart and spirit of the American people.  Thank you to the many volunteers and staff who worked hard to decorate the halls of the People’s House in Christmas cheer.  On behalf of my family, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

President Meets With Inner City Pastors

Yesterday afternoon, President Trump met at the White House with a group of inner city pastors.  The White House has posted a transcript of remarks by the President and a number of the pastors at the meeting.  They focused primarily on issues of economic development and prison reform.

President Hosts Iftar Dinner At White House

The White House on Wednesday hosted an Iftar dinner at which President Trump delivered remarks (full text).  The President said in part:

At tonight’s dinner, we especially are pleased to welcome members of the diplomatic corps, representing our friends and partners across the globe.  And a very warm welcome to all of the ambassadors here tonight representing Muslim-majority nations....  To each of you and to the Muslims around the world: Ramadan Mubarak.

... Iftars mark the coming together of families and friends to celebrate a timeless message of peace, clarity, and love.  There is great love.  It’s a moment to call upon our highest ideals, and to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy.  Thank you very much.

AP reports on the event, contrasting the President's welcoming remarks with anti-Muslim rhetoric used during his campaign.  Some Muslim groups, in protest, organized a "NOT Trump’s Iftar" across from the White House.

White House Marks National Day of Prayer With Executive Order On New Faith Initiative

Yesterday the White House marked National Day of Prayer with a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House.  Vice President Pence delivered remarks (full text) followed by a 15-minute address by President Trump (full text) in which he announced that he would be signing a new Executive Order to create a faith initiative at the White House.  Later in the day the President signed an Executive Order on the Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative (full text).  The Executive Order replaces President Obama's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives with an Advisor to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative.  The Initiative is to:

 (iii)  make recommendations to the President... regarding changes to policies, programs, and practices that affect the delivery of services by faith-based and community organizations....

(v)    showcase innovative initiatives by faith-based and community organizations that serve and strengthen individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States;

(vi)   notify the Attorney General ... of concerns raised by faith-based and community organizations about any failures of the executive branch to comply with protections of Federal law for religious liberty.... 

(vii)  identify and propose means to reduce... burdens on the exercise of religious convictions and legislative, regulatory, and other barriers to the full and active engagement of faith-based and community organizations in Government-funded or Government-conducted activities and programs.

The White House also issued a Fact Sheet titled President Donald J. Trump Stands Up For Religious Freedom In The United States.  Washington Post reports on these developments.

White House Easter-Passover Greetings and Events

The White House today released a YouTube video of President Trump's Message for Passover and Easter. In a press release today the White House also summarized the events that will be part of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, hosted by First Lady Melania Trump on April 2.  The event will be live streamed on the WH Info website.

White House Unveils This Year's Christmas Decorations

In a press release today, the White House announced that this year's White House Christmas decorations are themed "Time Honored Traditions." The press release and an ABC News report describe the decorations, selected by First Lady Melania Trump, in more detail. This year's family Christmas card, signed by the President, the First Lady and their son Barron, reads "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."

White House Ready For Holidays; National Christmas Tree Lit

NBC reports that President Obama, Michelle Obama and their daughter Sasha last night lit the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse. The White House website now includes a 2016 Holidays at the White House page, carrying stories on decorations and activities at the White House for the holiday season.

UPDATE: Here is the full text of the President's remarks at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

White House Hosts Nowruz Celebration

The White House last Wednesday hosted its annual Nowruz celebration.  Nowruz is the Persian New Year celebrated as a secular holiday by many in the Middle East and central Asia, and celebrated as a religious holiday by Zoroastrians. (Wikipedia). First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the East Room reception (full text of remarks), saying in part:

We think America is strongest when we recognize our many traditions, when we celebrate our diversity, and when we lift each other up.... We are a nation of immigrants.  And we should cherish the talent and energy and the beautiful traditions and cultures that come with that heritage, not just today but every day.

White House Issues Easter Greetings and Plans For Annual Easter Egg Roll

On Friday, President Obama extended Good Friday and Easter greetings, saying:

Michelle and I join our fellow Christians in observing Good Friday and celebrating Easter this weekend. This is a time to remember the sacrifices made for us and hold all who suffer close to our hearts. Yet it is also a time to rejoice, give thanks for the Resurrection, and unite with Christians around the world in proclaiming, "Christ has risen; He has risen indeed." We wish all who celebrate a blessed and joyful Easter.

The White House on Friday also announced (full text) the full program, activities, and talent line-up for the 2016 White House Easter Egg Roll that will be held on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. Over 35,000 tickets have been issued for the event.

From the White House For Christmas: Playlists and Concern For Persecuted Christians

On Wednesday, in anticipation of Christmas, the White House posted The Obamas' and Bidens' Holiday Playlists on the White House Spotify channel.  The Obamas' number one pick is "O Tannenbaum, Vince Guaraldi Trio (A Charlie Brown Christmas)," while "Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Bruce Springsteen" tops the Bidens' playlist.

The President also posted a more serious statement on Persecuted Christians at Christmas, saying in part:

At this time, those of us fortunate enough to live in countries that honor the birthright of all people to practice their faith freely give thanks for that blessing.  Michelle and I are also ever-mindful that many of our fellow Christians do not enjoy that right, and hold especially close to our hearts and minds those who have been driven from their ancient homelands by unspeakable violence and persecution.

In some areas of the Middle East where church bells have rung for centuries on Christmas Day, this year they will be silent; this silence bears tragic witness to the brutal atrocities committed against these communities by ISIL.

White House Convenes Forum on America's Religious Pluralism

As reported by Religion News Service, yesterday the White House convened a forum titled Celebrating and Protecting America’s Tradition of Religious Pluralism. Invited participants included secularists.  The program began with remarks by Melissa Rogers, head of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, who emphasized that "there are no second-class faiths" in the United States. A video of the entire forum is available on YouTube.  The Department of Justice has posted the full text of remarks at the forum by Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division.

Obama Hosts Two White House Hanukkah Receptions

President Obama yesterday hosted two Hanukkah receptions at the White House-- one at 4 pm and the other at 7:30 pm.  Press coverage has focused on the first at which, as reported by the Times of Israel, visiting Israeli President President Reuven Rivlin lit the Hanukkah candles.  Last month the White House asked the public to suggest special menorahs that might be used at this year's receptions, and yesterday it posted the stories of the two that were chosen plus several runners up.  A 15-minute video of remarks by Obama and Rivlin, as well as by Rabbi Susan Talve, at the first reception has been posted by the White House on YouTube.

First Family Lights National Christmas Tree

Reuters reports that President Obama and his family yesterday led the lighting of the National Christmas Tree across the street from the White House.  Meanwhile, on a page titled Holidays at the White House, the White House website displays this year's White House Holiday Decor-- with the theme "A Timeless Tradition."

White House Honors Climate Faith Leaders

RNS reports that on Monday the White House honored 12 "Climate Faith Leaders" as part of its Champions of Change program. The White House website highlights the accomplishments of the twelve leaders-- Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu-- in the environmental area.

White House Will Host "The Gospel Tradition: In Performance"

As part of the "In Performance At the White House" series, tomorrow night President and Mrs. Obama will host a program on The Gospel Tradition. According to the White House announcement last week,:

The event will pay tribute to the fundamental role gospel music has played in the American musical tradition and the important artists and repertoire that have marked its vibrant history. The program will include performances by Bishop Rance Allen, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Aretha Franklin, Rodney Crowell, Rhiannon Giddens, Emmylou Harris, Darlene Love, Lyle Lovett, Tamela Mann, the Morgan State University Choir, and Michelle Williams — with T Bone Burnett as executive music director and Billy Maxwell as music director.

The program will be streamed live a 7 pm ET at  https://www.whitehouse.gov/live , and will be broadcast by PBS at 9 pm ET on June 26. Tomorrow during the day the First Lady will host a workshop for middle school, high school and college students on The History of Gospel Music.

Easter/ Passover Stories From The Weekend

On Friday, the White House released a statement (full text) from the President sending Good Friday and Easter wishes, and indicating that the President will be hosting the annual Easter prayer breakfast on Tuesday.  The statement reads in part:

Michelle and I join our fellow Christians around the world in observing Good Friday and celebrating Easter this weekend. With humility and awe, we give thanks for the extraordinary sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation. We rejoice in the triumph of the Resurrection. And we renew our commitment to live as He commanded ...

On Saturday, the White House posted a video message from the President sending Passover and Easter wishes.

On Friday, the White House posted a photo of this year's annual White House Seder along with a detailed menu for the evening.

A traditional Passover ritual is the "selling of chametz"-- a symbolic transfer of ownership of food that does not meet Passover standards so an individual will not own leavened foods during the holiday period. JTA reported Friday:

For the past 15 years [the Israeli government] has been symbolically selling all the chametz from state-owned companies, the prison service and Israel’s national emergency supply to Hussein Jabar, an Arab-Israeli resident of Abu Ghosh. It then buys it all back after the holiday is over. The price tag? $5,000.

First Lady Hosts Nowruz Reception

Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a reception in the East Room of the White House to mark Nowruz.  The holiday, with roots in Zoroastrianism, celebrates the start of the new year in the Persian calendar. In her remarks (full text), Mrs. Obama said in part:

I think it’s so fitting that we’re holding this celebration here today because one of my favorite things about the White House is how it is truly the People’s House –- a house that reflects the diversity of culture and traditions that make us who we are as a country.  And Nowruz is one of those traditions.

For more than 3,000 years, families and communities in the Middle East, Asia, and all around the world, including here in the United States, have celebrated this holiday to mark the renewal of the earth in springtime....

The GW Hatchet reports in more detail on the reception.

Annual White House Easter Egg Roll Announced

The White House this week announced that the 137th annual White House Easter Egg Roll will be held on April 6, hosted by the President and Michelle Obama.  It is expected that 35,000 people will gather on the South Lawn of the White House for the event. The lottery for tickets ends today at noon.