This Christmas season marks the debut of the Baby Jesus at the Virginia State Capitol’s historic Bell Tower. For the first time in memorable history, a Nativity Scene will be displayed on the same property that hosts the Virginia legislature along with the governor’s mansion and executive offices, on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m./noon (Central).

WHAT:  Virginia State Capitol Nativity Scene

WHEN:  Friday, December 9, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m./noon Eastern

WHERE:  In front of the Bell Tower, at the Virginia State Capitol, 101 N 9^th Street, Richmond, VA 23219

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/CBjYweq2fRYUxFwd6

FEATURING:

• Father James O’Reilly, Parochial Vicar, St. Bridget’s Catholic Church
• Christmas carols, Bible readings, and prayer

The Virginia State Capitol Nativity 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. Enshrining the Constitutional rights of freedom of religion, freedom to assemble, and freedom of speech, the gathering will be led by Father James O’Reilly of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, and will feature Christmas carols, Bible readings, and prayer that all Virginians will have a safe and blessed Christmas holiday.

Doug Lynch, Grand Knight of the Monsignor Francis J. Byrne Council of the Knights of Columbus, is one of the founding organizers of this event and he hopes that the celebration will be expanded in the future.

“Virginians have long celebrated their freedom to exercise their faith, even as far back as the lead up to the American Revolution,” stated Lynch. “In June 1776, the Virginia House of Delegates adopted the Virginia Constitution which contained the Virginia Declaration of Rights. When crafting the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was inspired by the Virginia Declaration’s vision of natural rights. Other states would borrow from Virginia when drafting their own state constitutions, and James Madison, Father of the Constitution, reportedly referred to the Virginia Declaration when framing the U.S. Bill of Rights.”

Lynch pointed out that according to the Virginia Declaration, “…all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.”

“It is in this spirit that we celebrate in our very own Virginia public square and welcome the humble birth of the Christ Child – the Wonderful Counselor and King of Kings,” Lynch added.

Along with the local Knights of Columbus council, Lynch assisted a group of local parishioners in sponsoring the state permit for the gathering. Lynch mentioned that “Keeping Christ in Christmas” is one way that the Knights of Columbus are committed to faith in action. This year, the Knights of Columbus are partnering with the Thomas More Society and the American Nativity Scene in their work to help private groups to display Biblical manger scenes on government property at Christmastime.

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. For Christmas 2022, in addition to the Virginia State Capitol Nativity, the state capitols in Alaska, New York, and Utah are scheduled to feature nativity displays for the first time.

About the Knights of Columbus

In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into one of the world’s leading international charitable organizations, with more than 2 million members in over 16,000 local councils. Last year, Knights around the world donated nearly 48 million service hours and nearly $154 million for worthy causes in their communities. The Knights of Columbus also offers extensive life insurance products to members and their families. Knights of Columbus currently has more than $120 billion of life insurance in force and was named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Insurance Companies 2023. In addition, the Knights provides investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds more than $25 billion in assets under management. Based on the founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus is committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes and to practicing faith in action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.

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