The Christmas season is in full swing, and as a way to celebrate, nonprofit organizations have begun installing Nativity Scenes to showcase the birth of Jesus Christ in front of a growing number of State Capitol buildings. The displays are being lauded as a brilliant way to celebrate the Christ part of Christmas while staying within the law with regard to religious displays on government property.
Two nonprofits, the Thomas More Society came and the American Nativity Scene, came together to begin putting these displays on the grounds of State Capitol buildings and offices during this year’s season of advent. The Thomas More Society posted a press release talking about the new Nativity displays that have been erected in 43 states so far.
Ed O’Malley is the president of the American Nativity Scene, and he sees this move as a positive step toward sharing the hope and joy of Jesus Christ. O’Malley said, “In 2023 we are pleased to announce that 43 State Capitol Nativity Scenes, the most to date, are scheduled to be erected at state capitols this Christmas season. The message of hope delivered by the Baby Jesus celebrates the joy of new life. This troubled world can benefit from more hope and more joy.”
According to Vice President of The Thomas More Society Thomas Olp, this display of faith in the Christmas season is not breaking any laws and is protected, in fact, by numerous other pieces of legislation. He explained that as long as the display is not entirely religious in purpose and focuses on the Christmas holiday, then it can be freely displayed on State Capitol grounds.
Olp explained, “Many erroneously assume that government entities are prohibited from allowing a religious display. The law is clear. Government entities may erect and maintain celebrations of the Christmas holiday—or allow citizens to do so on government property, including Nativity scenes, as long as a crèche’s sole purpose is not to promote its religious content, and it is placed in context with other symbols of the season as part of an effort to celebrate the public Christmas holiday through traditional symbols.”
According to Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of The Thomas More Society, this endeavor hasn’t gone off without resistance. Some resistance has come in the form of legislators, but the biggest obstacle has been dealing with anti-Christian groups who put up “horrendous displays” that are meant to detract from the nativities.
According to Brejcha, however, these monstrosities only served to highlight the beauty of the Nativities as they are contrasted against the horrors of the often Satanic shows. In an interview with the Christian Post, Brejcha explained exactly that, saying that the presence of these detractors was actually a good thing for his displays.
Brejcha said, “That’s what free speech is all about. What’s the message behind the Satan display? It’s the opposite of the Nativity display, and it underscores the beauty, serenity, sanctity of the Nativity. Birth, new life, beautiful divine infant on the one hand; on the other, Beelzebub — this symbol of death, destruction, and everything that one would abhor.”
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