DCist has to say that your questions were scarce last week. We will blame the short holiday week and vacation brain. As always, if anything is troubling you, anything at all, even if it isn’t D.C.-centric, toss it our way at ask [at] dcist [dot] com and we’ll attempt to answer, or at least entertain you in the mangled process of answering. If you have queried and have gotten no answer, don’t despair. Some queries require a bit more legwork, or we are saving them for a special time and place. This week, we answer a timely softball.

Dear DCist,

My parents will be visiting in December and have asked to take in some traditional “Christmas in Washington” sights. What’s the story behind the National Christmas Tree?

Ah, the National Christmas Tree. DCist has many fond memories of bundled-up evenings lit with the soft glow of the National Christmas Tree and warmed by the festive Yule log. The National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace is a “Christmas in Washington” must see. DCist admits to never attending the opening ceremony, but we hope to remedy that this Thursday when the 2004 Pageant of Peace kicks off with the 81st tree lighting.