Springfield | Ten years ago, the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC) sponsored a privately funded display depicting the birth of Jesus Christ at the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol. The first display of its kind in any state Capitol, the nativity scene has become a Springfield tradition in the decade since, and has been followed by similar displays in 15 other states.
Julie Zanoza, chair of the SNSC, opened the most recent dedication ceremony Nov. 28. “We want to be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as well as demonstrate the constitutional right we have to publicly meet and celebrate his birth,” she said.
Several guests spoke at the dedication, including a representative of the Thomas More Society, a law firm specializing in religious liberty issues. State Senator Sam McCann (R-Plainview) also addressed the hour-long gathering attended by around 50 people.
“We had very good attendance this year,” Bernie Lutchmann, president of Business Men in Christ of Springfield, said after the ceremony, “but we’re even more excited that 15 other states have adopted our idea too….And we hope that someday, the nativity scene will be displayed in all 50 of our U.S. State Capitols.”