Baby Jesus Debuts at North Carolina State Capitol for Christmas Season
Baby Jesus debuts at the North Carolina State Capitol on Saturday, December 21, 2019. At 2 p.m. (Eastern), a traditional Christian crèche will be center stage on the capitol grounds at 1 East Edenton Street in Raleigh, beginning the Nativity’s week-long residence at the capitol.
The Thomas More Society, a national not-for-profit law firm, has teamed up again with the American Nativity Scene to help keep privately funded manger scenes in the public square for Christmas.
“We are excited to share our Christmas message with the public, as the Constitution allows us to do,” said Terrence Mason, coordinator of the North Carolina Nativity Scene. “More than just an opportunity to share our faith, it is a chance to invite everyone to seek peace on earth and goodwill to all,” he added.
Thomas More Society and American Nativity Scene Help Keep Holiday Christ-Centered
WHAT: Christmas Nativity at the North Carolina State Capitol Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, December 21, 2 p.m. (Eastern), through Saturday, December 28, 2019, WHERE: North Carolina State Capitol, 1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 (the Nativity will be displayed at the corner of Edenton Street and Wilmington Street on Capitol Square)
MAP: https://tinyurl.com/tqlsvd2
The Thomas More Society serves as legal counsel for nativity displays across America and collaborates with the American Nativity Scene. Defending freedom of religious speech and the free exercise of religious faith in the public square, these pro bono attorneys assist nativity scene sponsors. They equip citizens with the knowledge and support they need to successfully display crèches in venues that qualify as traditional and designated public forums.
“Privately funded Christmas displays are legally allowed in traditional public forums such as state capitols, county complexes, or city hall lawns,” explained Ed O’Malley, president of the American Nativity Scene. “We are committed to our goal of keeping Christ in Christmas across the nation.”
The mission of the American Nativity Scene is to place a nativity display within or directly outside state capitol buildings across America. By this Christmas, there will be 27 state capitol manger scenes on display. Pro bono work by the attorneys at the Thomas More Society has ensured that citizens who privately fund religious displays on public property are accorded their right to do so as guaranteed by the 1st and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution. A permanent federal injunction banning discrimination against religious speech ensures that the Christmas crèches are protected from erroneous applications of the widely misunderstood concept of “separation of church and state.”
While each Christmas season brings controversies, including challenges by atheists, secularists, and even satanists, the American Nativity Scene remains constant in providing a strong and united front in the face of attacks on religious freedom.
“Atheist groups may mock our message, but we will not be silent as it is critical that Christians proclaim the Gospel message to their fellow citizens,” said Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society president and chief counsel.
Brejcha added: “Anti-Christian, anti-Christmas rhetoric and satanic expositions merely serve to provide sharp emphasis by means of their stark contrast with the positive, uplifting, hopeful, and joyous message of Christmas. The Christmas message bears secular as well as religious significance, as it highlights the hope and miracle of birth and new life, the inherent dignity of each and every human being, focusing our attention on the humble and lowly infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger amidst straw and animals, honored by shepherds and kings alike, and heralded by choirs of angels.”
Together, the American Nativity Scene and the Thomas More Society have co-sponsored, assisted with, or promoted nativity displays at numerous state capitols including California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. Additionally, there Christmas nativities at the state capitols in Arkansas, New Jersey, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Washington, and the governor’s mansion in Oklahoma.
About the American Nativity Scene
The American Nativity Scene is dedicated to the display of nativity scenes in every state capitol throughout the United States during the Christmas season. For more information, visit americannativityscene.com.
