With cookies and hot chocolate in hand, children along with

their parents gathered around a large tree in the front lawn of the Robins Air

Force Base Chapel.

The group congregated here for the annual Christmas Tree

Lighting Ceremony held Thursday.

After they heard the meaning of Christmas and Hanukkah, the

group moved closer towards the tree when it was announced that the tree would

soon be lighted.

Col. Patricia Ross, with the help of Jennifer Dahlman, whose

husband is deployed, and her children Andrew and Kaylie, flipped the switch for

the tree’s lights.

When the cheers quieted and the yellow ribbons were tied to

the Chapel’s railing in honor of those deployed, it was time for Ross to read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the

children who quickly circled around the steps of the Chapel.

As the story ended, sirens from a fire truck could be heard

signaling Santa Claus’ arrival.

The crowd of children rushed to greet Santa, who greeted

them with hugs, high-fives and “ho, ho, hos.”

The event ended with each child telling Santa what they

wanted for Christmas.

Santa makes a stop at the base