For the first time in human history, the Nativity scene was displayed on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in December. What an incredible win for religious freedom and our First Amendment rights!
The display was accompanied by prayer, the singing of Christmas carols, and a reading of the Christmas story, according to the Christian Post. All of this was made possible after a federal-level court decision granted Rev. Patrick Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, and his supporters, the right to peacefully celebrate our faith on Capitol grounds.
“We are so very thankful for the opportunity to share the joyful and powerful message of Christmas at the steps of the U.S. Capitol,” said Mahoney, according to the outlet. “In a hurting and wounded world, there is no more redemptive and healing message than the Christmas story.”
In his lawsuit, Mahoney stated that “The ‘People’s House,’ as the U.S. Capitol Building is so rightly called, must be a place where all Americans are afforded the right to come and peacefully celebrate and express their First Amendment rights. Tragically, those rights and freedoms are being denied and prohibited.”
An official statement from Mahoney touched upon the significance of the decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. “This is also a significant victory for religious freedom and the First Amendment,” he said. “This event has ended and won the war on Christmas in the public square. For if Christmas can be celebrated and displayed in the most powerful public square in America, it can be celebrated publicly everywhere.”
