Lighting of Rockefeller Christmas Tree represents much more than the start of Holiday season

NBC NATIONAL NEWS — Later today thousands will gather in Manhattan's Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

The annual spectacle has become a world famous symbol of the holidays.

The tree came from Flanders New Jersey- after surviving the strong winds of Hurricane Sandy.

Now it will light up the sky from Rockefeller Center- symbolizing much more than the start of the holiday season.