8:48 p.m. EST December 5, 2014  President Obama signed an executive order Friday giving federal employees the day after Christmas off.

The order means that most federal offices and agencies will be closed Dec. 26 -- and federal workers will get a paid, four-day holiday weekend.

The order allows agencies to make an exception "for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need."

It's by no means unprecedented Obama last closed the government for a day on Dec. 24, 2012, a Monday. President George W. Bush gave four days off during Christmas week.

Thousands of federal employees had signed a petition on the White House web site asking for this year's holiday. But the petition failed to reach a 100,000-signature threshhold requiring a formal reply, so Obama's action was not in direct response to the petition.

Obama and family light National Christmas Tree

President Obama and his family helped launch the holidays in earnest Thursday by hitting the light switch on the National Christmas Tree.

In paying tribute to the season -- "love our neighbors as ourselves" -- Obama also asked the crowd to say prayers for the nation's armed forces.
"As we hold our loved ones tight, let's remember the military families whose loved ones are far from home," the president said. "They are our heroes."

The story of the Christmas season dates back more than 2,000 years, Obama said, to "the birth of a singular child into the simplest of circumstances" who continues to inspire millions.
"It is a story dear to my family as Christians, but its meaning is one embraced by all peoples across our country and around the world, regardless of how they pray, or whether they pray at all," Obama said. "And that's to love our neighbors as ourselves. To be one another's keepers."

Obama also noted that the National Christmas Tree, as well as 56 state and territorial trees scattered on the Ellipse south of the White House, have received a "digital upgrade" this year. Young people from across the country used computer coding to control the pattern of the lights on the trees.

The National Christmas Tree, a tradition since 1923, is a "symbol of hope and holiday spirit," Obama said.

Actors (and spouses) Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson hosted a brief concert to accompany the tree lighting.

Obama attended the event with wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson.