Inside the People's Republic of Chicago

The God Squad strikes again. Volunteer carpenters build Nativity in Daley Plaza. Illinois-Leader has the tale.

Two years later, a federal court decided on behalf of Grutzmacher to allow the nativity scene display during the Christmas season. The December 4, 1989 ruling by Judge James B. Parsons was made despite the opposition from the American Jewish Congress, the ACLU, American Atheists, and the circulators of a petition opposing the display signed by the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Catholic Archbishop of Chicago.

Since that time, the nativity scene has been enjoyed by thousands who go through Daley Center Plaza during the month of December.

"We have received cell phone calls from people who are standing in front of the nativity scene, telling us how much they appreciate what we are doing," Finnegan told IllinoisLeader.com. "It would be our hope that other persons would take on the challenge of putting Christ back into Christmas in their area, by being responsible for a similar display in their towns."

Yeah, okay, Nativity scenes are a little silly, and yes, this issue is way out of proportion, but I like anything that gets us thinking about Christ on Christmas. To this day, I cannot use "x-mas" - just irks me. And the Anti-Christian Lawyers Union lost which is always good.