(CNSNews.com) - The President of “Faith and Action” Rev. Rob Schenck, who recently led a reenactment of the Nativity scene on the U.S. Capitol grounds, told CNSNews.com that the group “wanted to make a statement” that Americans have a Constitutional right to hold similar displays across the country on public property.

 

Schenck said the group also intended to “remind our elected officials” that Christmas is a celebration of the “giving of the Christ child.”

“Beyond that, we also wanted to make a statement that if we can have this kind of Christmas display here in the nation’s capitol, particularly in front of the United States Supreme Court, the Senate buildings; that should telegraph the message that these kinds of displays can be staged anywhere in the country, whether it’s in front of state houses, state capitols, municipal buildings, county court houses, so it’s also a celebration, of course it’s a celebration of Christmas but it’s also a celebration of our first amendment Constitutionally protected rights,” he told CNSNews.com in an interview after the display which took place in front of the Supreme Court and other areas of the Capitol grounds.

He later added, “First amendment liberties are like muscles, if you don’t work them, they’ll atrophy and you’ll lose them so it’s important that people during Christmas season get out there and joyfully display what this season is all about and we encourage them to do that on public property.”

Schenck also commented on the use of the term “holiday tree” saying “holiday trees are disingenuous.”

“I think the American people, no matter what their religion affiliation is, know that holiday trees are disingenuous; they are what they are, Christmas trees; that was attempted at the Capitol when for a number of years the Christmas tree was re-named the holiday tree. Nobody took that seriously, there was a hue and cry from the American people; that has always been the case,” he said.

“Americans know what Christmas is and every one I speak to here in Washington has a respect for it. It doesn’t matter, Jewish, Christian, Muslim even, no religion at all, they want an honest portrayal of what is important to us as Americans as part of our heritage so I think this only makes good common sense.”

Schenck, who also serves as the President of the National Clergy Council said he would to see a “little more talk” about the true meaning of Christmas in Congress.

“We’re grateful that a Christmas celebration continues at the United States Capitol and that’s by order of the Congress. We’d like to see maybe a little more talk about the true meaning of Christmas and maybe there are some opportunities for floor speeches still when the Congress comes back for its last hurrah before the end of the year,” he said.