Faith Groups Hold Live Nativity Scene at Supreme Court

Published Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 in Culture & Society

Faith organizations plan to display a live nativity scene at the United States Supreme Court. The display is part of a nationwide campaign to confront the erosion and hostility toward public expressions of faith especially during the Christmas Season. The display will be sponsored by Faith and Action and the Christian Defense Coalition on Thursday, November 19, at 11:00 A.M on the public sidewalk in front of the United States Supreme Court.

Faith and Action sponsored a nativity display last year but this is the first time it will involve live actors. This display is part of Operation Nativity and the Nativity Project which promote manager scenes on both public and private property.

“The traditional creche, portraying Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child, along with the angels, shepherds and Wise Men, remind us all of what Christmas is all about,” says Rev. Rob Schenck, president of Faith and Action. “We like to refer to this effort as keeping Christ Mass in the nation’s Capitol.”

As Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, sees it, there is an erosion and hostility toward public expressions of faith in the public square. This is especially true during the Christmas Season.

“The Nativity Project and Operation Nativity are reminders that our Constitution provides freedom ‘of’ religion not freedom ‘from’ religion,” he says. “By encouraging people of faith to publicly display Nativity Scenes across the nation, we are not only encouraging people to embrace our religious liberty and First Amendment freedoms but we are loudly proclaiming the powerful message of Christmas. That timeless message needs to be heard now more than ever. That message is the Christ Child has come to bring ‘peace on earth and goodwill toward man.’ Our hope and prayer is that thousands will display this powerful message on their front lawns and in front of public buildings all across America during the Christmas Season.”