Dorchester Banner/Paul Clipper Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley and Santa Claus throw the switch on the Cambridge Christmas tree.

CAMBRIDGE — The well-bundled crowd joined the Chorus of Dorchester singing, “O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem,” but they came no farther than the lawns of the Dorchester County Courthouse. The occasion? To mark the Second Annual Cambridge Christmas with the lighting of the tree. After greetings by officials, the Chorus of Dorchester warmed the crowd with a selection of holiday songs, led by their director, Cookie Brohawn.

At about six p.m. on Saturday, the sun had already set and the waiting crowd of several hundred stood around the dark bandstand with only the soft illumination of small handheld candles. Suddenly those candles were eclipsed by the pop of white, bright lights that decorated the 22 foot tree. Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley had thrown the switch and the holiday season was now officially underway, and for children, that meant a visit from Santa.

“Great way to start the holiday” said Stephanie Alexander. “Great way to come together,” noted Edith Carpenter, and Jessica Hall agreed. In fact, the sentiments of these three Cambridge women were being echoed by many at the event. They were sensing a warm feeling of community at this official start of the Christmas season.

From senior citizens to kids perched on their fathers’ shoulders, and all ages in between, no one was fussing or complaining of the nip in the air. It was a smiling group that headed home with memories of this new, joyful tradition of music and lights, shared with their Cambridge neighbors.