Villa Park choir to sing at state Capitol Nativity event
Choir members of St. Alexander Catholic Church in Villa Park will sing Tuesday, Dec. 2, during the dedication of the first Nativity scene in at least two decades in the state Capitol building.
Roughly a dozen members of the Celebration Singers, along with the Resurrection and Joystirs choirs, will journey to Springfield for the historic event.
"We're honored to be asked and to be participating," choir member Kathy Gilroy said. "It's important we're finally granted the right to have a Nativity inside a government building.
"The pendulum has swing so far over, you don't often even hear the word Christmas. It's 'Happy Holidays.' The reason for the season is the birth of Christ. We're celebrating the birth of Christ."
A Springfield-based committee obtained a state permit to set up the Nativity scene during December.
The permit was granted under court rulings that dictate such displays can be set on government property provided the site is open to other organizations and it is sponsored by a nonstate entity.
"Our primary goal: It's not a demonstration; it's to honor the birth of Christ during the holiday season," said Dan Zanoza, of Lincoln, who spearheaded the effort. "We don't want to force any faith on anyone. All the people have a right to express their faith in a public square. We support the right of Jews at Passover to put something up, if desired."
The portrayal of the birth of Jesus with mother Mary and father Joseph in a manger at the Capitol was made possible largely by the Chicago-based Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center, which works to oppose legalized abortion. The organization fronted the money for and commissioned the 50-inch tall pieces. Since then, donations to reimburse the group have been accumulating mostly by $5, $10 and $20, Zanoza said.
"The response has been overwhelming," Zanoza said. "It's really grass roots. It's been sponsored by everyday people. I'm really proud of that."
It demonstrates how widespread the support is for a Nativity scene, for an acknowledgment of Christ and God in a government building, he said.
The Nativity scene is believed to be the first one in the Capitol building in at least the last 20 years. The Capitol regularly hosts a "holiday tree" and has occasionally had a Jewish Menorah on display.
The depiction of Christ's birth will be unveiled during a noontime event Dec. 2 that will feature the Villa Park choir members singing Christmas carols and a few speakers remarking on the occasion.
"I'm very excited. It's a privilege," said Celebration Singers Choir Director Clara Fiedler of Carol Stream. "We're going to be able to sing Christmas carols because Jesus is the reason for the season."