(The Lion) — A Nativity display along with prayer, Christmas carols, and a Scripture reading of the birth of Jesus was all part of an event held for the first time on the southeastern steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Celebrated on Tuesday on the House of Representatives side of the Capitol, the event represents “a significant victory for religious freedom and the First Amendment,” Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian Defense Coalition, said in a press statement.
“This event has ended and won the war on Christmas in the public square,” Mahoney proclaimed. “For if Christmas can be celebrated and displayed in the most powerful public square in America, it can be celebrated publicly everywhere.”
As the statement from the coalition explains, Mahoney won a “historic federal court victory” in May 2024 when a court ruled that the steps of the U.S. Capitol were a public forum, a decision that ended prohibitions of peaceful demonstrations in that location.
The court’s injunction, which permanently barred Capitol police from banning First Amendment demonstrations on the U.S. Capitol steps, was celebrated by Mahoney – who has taken many opportunities to stand up for Americans’ First Amendment right of religious liberty.
“We are so very thankful for the opportunity to share the joyful and powerful message of Christmas at the steps of the United States Capitol,” he said. “In a hurting and wounded world, there is no more redemptive and healing message than the Christmas story.”
Mahoney, a Reformed Presbyterian minister, read the Christmas story on the steps and was joined by carolers.
“A reminder that, seven months ago, we would have been arrested for doing this exact same thing before our historic federal court victory,” he told The Lion.
In fact, Mahoney was arrested during a prayer vigil in August 2021.
In April of that year, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, an Obama appointee, denied Mahoney’s motions for a restraining order and a preliminary injunction against then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Mahoney wanted to hold his annual Good Friday vigil on the Capitol grounds, but his request was denied by the Capitol Hill Police Department because of the placement of the fencing surrounding the Capitol after Jan. 6, 2021.
Mahoney said in his complaint that, due to the fencing, “[d]efendants have effectively created a no-speech zone around the nation’s Capitol.” He was represented in the case by the Center for American Liberty.
“Between now and the inauguration we are only allowed five people on the steps at the same time,” he told The Lion.
But, to be able to celebrate the story of Jesus’ birth on the steps of the U.S. Capitol – the largest public square – is a wonderful blessing, he says.
“The words spoken by the prophet Isaiah centuries ago are still relevant for us today. ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’
“The hopeful declaration of ‘Peace on earth, goodwill toward man,’ is one that needs to be heard and embraced by all Americans,” Mahoney said.
Photos: Courtesy Rev. Patrick Mahoney
