This Christmas season marks the debut of the Baby Jesus at the Alaska State Capitol. For the first time, on December 2, 2022, beginning at 4 p.m. (AKST), a Nativity Scene will be displayed on the same property that hosts the Alaska Legislature and the Alaska Governor’s offices.

WHAT: Alaska State Capitol Nativity Scene

WHEN: Friday, December 2, 2022, beginning at 4 p.m. (AKST)

WHERE: Alaska State Capitol, 120 4th St, Juneau, AK 99801

MAP:  https://goo.gl/maps/ZxvRHEUc8vjup6YL9

DETAILS: Program will feature a blessing of the Nativity, Scripture reading, Christmas carols, and hot chocolate

The first-ever Nativity scene at the Juneau State Capitol is one of many scheduled to be erected at state capitol buildings across America this Christmas, proof that the holiday celebrating the birth of Christ is alive and well in 2022.

“The true joy of Christmas is a newborn baby, lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling cloths,” observed Andrew Klausner, who is coordinating the Juneau State Capitol Nativity.

“For the first time in humanity, we get to see the face of God,” Klausner shared, “He humbled Himself, becoming vulnerable in order to more deeply enter into our lives, heal our wounds, and teach us how to love. The God of the universe, the King of Kings, has revealed Himself to us, yet even now, we have difficulty recognizing Him, especially when we let worldly things obscure His presence in our very midst. The Magi left their homes and comforts to embark on a long, uncertain journey to seek the Christ Child. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, they must have asked numerous residents and travelers where to find Him, only to be met with nescience. If they were to come to Juneau and ask us where to find Him, would we be able to tell them? I think the Nativity Scene is a stark reminder of the meaning of our festivities.”

Klausner is one of many citizens across America keeping the “Christ” in Christmas this year, as the Thomas More Society and the American Nativity Scene help private groups to display Biblical manger scenes on government property this Christmas.

The following state capitols featured a nativity scene in 2021: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, 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. Additionally, for Christmas 2022, state capitols are scheduled to feature nativity displays for the first time in Alaska, New York, Utah, and Virginia.

About the American Nativity Scene

The American Nativity Scene is dedicated to the display of nativity scenes in every state capitol in America during the Christmas season. The committee ships nativity scenes, which have been donated by an anonymous benefactor, to citizens throughout the United States who wish to give witness to the true meaning of Christmas by setting up a privately funded crèche in a public forum. The Thomas More Society provides the organization with legal help in securing permits and defending challenges as needed. Visit americannativityscene.com.

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