This is my first year participating in the Virtual Advent Tour and, like many others, I had a hard time deciding how to narrow the focus of my post. At first, I thought songs — particularly some of the more unusual pieces — because Christmas is inseparable from its music for my family and me. But coming this late in the month, a lot of other people have covered music. Although I have enjoyed each and every link and video you’ve offered up, I wanted something a little different.

And then I realized that living in Washington, D.C., gives me a rather unique perspective.

So, I offer you a tour of some of the District’s seasonal sights*. Lace up your sturdiest walking shoes (boots might be a wise choice after this weekend’s 20 inches of snowfall) and let’s head down to the National Mall:

You may have seen President Obama and the First Family light the National Christmas Tree on tv. This is it in person, taken over the weekend:

The lights weren’t turned on during Saturday’s blizzard, but that’s really just as well. They’re all on a hair-net type contraption that’s draped over a perfectly lovely real tree and it looks hideously ugly when it’s lit.

Without the lights, it’s just a nice tree with some decorations on it. Simple and understated. So, really, this is the National Christmas Tree at its very best.

Did you know there’s also a National Menorah? It’s also on the Ellipse in front of the White House, and a new “flame” is lit at sundown each night of Hanukkah.