WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner says the 10,000 lights on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree represent the “everlasting light” that entered the world with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Boehner hosted Tuesday evening’s lighting of the 65-foot spruce from Colorado.

Eagle Scout Ryan Shuster of Colorado Springs flipped the switch as the crowd cheered, and the U.S. Air Force Band played “O Christmas Tree” and other holiday classics.

Boehner said the Christmas story should inspire the kind of joy felt by the shepherds of Bethlehem as the angels heralded Christ’s birth.

The tree will be lit each night until the day after Christmas.

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