(CNN) For the third time in his presidency, President Donald Trump counted down the crowd on the Ellipse outside the White House to the ceremonial lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

"We'll count from five down to that very special number," the President said, before counting down to one, when first lady Melania Trump to hit the button and lit the Christmas tree.

It's a tradition that goes back to 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a 48-foot Balsalm Fir on Christmas Eve. Trump, while not known for sticking to tradition, kept his remarks brief and on message. He walked out on stage to "Oh Christmas Tree," played by the US Marine Corps band and spoke about the meaning of Christmas.

"More than 2,000 years ago, a brilliant star shone in the East," the President told the crowd in President's Park.

"Wise men traveled far, far, afield -- I mean they were a long distance away -- and they came and they stood with us under the star, where they found the holy family in Bethlehem. As the Bible tells us, when the wise men had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped him," Trump said, reading from prepared remarks.

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