With the First Lady at his side, President Trump speaks at the national Christmas tree ceremony. (Screen Capture)

(CNSNews.com) – Presiding over the annual lighting of the national Christmas tree on Thursday night, President Trump highlighted the season’s Christian message, invoking “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” and a life that “forever changed the course of human history.”

“For Christians this is a holy season, the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said, standing alongside first lady Melania Trump on a platform at the Ellipse near the White House.

“The Christmas story begins 2,000 years ago with a mother, a father, their baby son, and the most extraordinary gift of all – the gift of God’s love for all of humanity,” he continued.

“Whatever our beliefs we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of this incredible life forever changed the course of human history. There’s hardly an aspect of our lives today that His life has not touched – art, music, culture, law and our respect for the sacred dignity of every person, everywhere in the world.”

Trump was introduced to the stage by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke as “the man who brought ‘Merry Christmas’ back to our nation’s capital.”

That was a subject Trump touched on while speaking at the Values Voter Summit last October.

“We’re getting near that beautiful Christmas season that people don’t talk about anymore,” he said. “They don’t use the word ‘Christmas’ because it’s not politically correct. You go to department stores, and they’ll say, ‘Happy New Year’ and they’ll say other things.”

“Well, guess what? We’re saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.”

The Trump family’s first White House Christmas card carried the greeting, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

President Obama came under some flak for using terms like “happy holidays” or “season’s greetings” rather than “Merry Christmas” on his annual White House Christmas cards

The 2009 card – featuring “Season’s Greetings” and “joyous holiday season” – prompted a then-GOP lawmaker from South Carolina, Rep. Henry Brown, to introduce a resolution on December 8 that year that “Recognizes the importance of Christmas symbols and traditions,” “Disapproves of attempts to ban references to Christmas,” and “Supports the use of these symbols and traditions by those who celebrate Christmas.”

“I believe that sending a Christmas card without referencing a holiday and its purpose limits the Christmas celebration in favor of a more politically correct holiday,” he told Fox News at the time.

Brown’s “sense of Congress” measure attracted 73 Republican co-sponsors and one Democrat (Mike McIntyre of North Carolina).

President George W. Bush also did not use the greeting “Merry Christmas” on his Christmas cards, but each one featured a Scripture verse: 2008 (Matthew 5:16), 2007 (Nehemiah 9:6), 2006 (Psalm 119:105), 2005 (Psalm 28:7), 2004 (Psalm 95:2), 2003 (Job 10:12), 2002 (Psalm 100:5), and 2001 (Psalm 27: 8, 13).

In contrast to the wording on his annual cards, Obama did use the term “Merry Christmas” when lighting the national Christmas tree each year.

In his eight tree lighting ceremonies, Obama referred to “our Savior” in 2016, “Jesus Christ” in 2015, “Christ” in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and wove a story of the “child” into his remarks in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

Excerpts of President Trump’s remarks on Thursday:

“From the earliest days of our nation Americans have known Christmas as a time for prayer and worship, for gratitude and goodwill, for peace and renewal. Melania and I are full of joy at the start of this very blessed season. We’re thrilled to think of the people across the nation and all across the continents whose spirits are lifted by the miracle of Christmas.”

“For Christians this is a holy season, the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Christmas story begins 2,000 years ago with a mother, a father, their baby son, and the most extraordinary gift of all – the gift of God’s love for all of humanity.”

“Whatever our beliefs we know that the birth of Jesus Christ and the story of this incredible life forever changed the course of human history. There’s hardly an aspect of our lives today that His life has not touched – art, music, culture, law and our respect for the sacred dignity of every person, everywhere in the world.”

“Each and every year at Christmas time we recognize that the real spirit of Christmas is not what we have. It’s about who we are. Each one of us is a child of God. That is the true source of joy this time of the year. That is what makes every Christmas merry. And that is what we remember at today’s beautiful ceremony – that we are called to serve one another, to love one another, and to pursue peace in our hearts and all around the world.”

“And so tonight I thank the millions of Americans who light our lives and brighten our wonderful communities. I thank those who are serving the needy during this season and throughout the year. I thank our military men and women who are stationed around the world keeping us safe. I thank our law enforcement officers who protect our streets and secure our homeland. I thank America’s teachers, pastors, and all those religious – and there’s people that have taught us so much – for their leadership in our communities and our society.”

“And especially tonight I thank America’s families. At Christmas we are reminded more than ever that the family is the bedrock of American life.”