Do you want to see a nativity? Look no further than your state capitol. For this Christmas in 2022, 43 state capitols had a Christian message as part of a national campaign. All but a handful of capitols have Nativity displays scheduled this season, according to the Thomas More Society.
Who Does This?
This Christmas, the Thomas More Society and the American Nativity Scene are working with many private citizen groups across the country to display biblical manger scenes. The Holy Family will be displayed for the first time in Alaska, New York, Utah, and Virginia state capitols, according to the organizations.
Ed O’Malley, president of the American Nativity Scene, said the 2022 total is more capitols than ever have participated in the past. He commented,
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 [1].
Is This Legal? Yes!
As Thomas Olp of the Thomas More Society pointed out, many people erroneously assume government entities are prohibited from allowing religious displays. He went on to explain,
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. 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. We pray that the nativity scenes of the Christmas season will help to foster a sense of unity and peace on earth [2].
Thomas More Society president Tom Brejcha said,
The Christmas message emphasizes our dignity as human beings [3].
What About Missouri?
Besides the four states that added a nativity to their capitols this year, 39 states have displayed it in the past. Among them is Missouri. Here are the other states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The goal of the American Nativity Scene is to have displays in every capitol.
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Notes:
- ^https://www.wnd.com/2022/12/43-state-capitols-feature-nativity-scenes-2022/ (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.wnd.com/2022/12/43-state-capitols-feature-nativity-scenes-2022/ (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.wnd.com/2022/12/43-state-capitols-feature-nativity-scenes-2022/ (go back ↩)
