40 Days for Life to celebrate Jesus' birthday today

In this Dec. 20, 2017 photo, Ada Skelton, front and center, Annie Skelton on piano, and singers Eva Jones and Deena Miller perform Christmas songs at the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda. The afternoon was spent celebrating the birth of Jesus.
In this Dec. 20, 2017 photo, Ada Skelton, front and center, Annie Skelton on piano, and singers Eva Jones and Deena Miller perform Christmas songs at the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda. The afternoon was spent celebrating the birth of Jesus.

For the fourth year, the group "40 Days for Life" invites Missourians to celebrate Jesus' birth during a "Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration," from noon-2 p.m. today in the Capitol Rotunda.

A large stable, crafted by Osage Bend farmer Kenny Bax, will be placed on the Rotunda stage, then filled with large statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, along with several angels.

The Nativity scene was donated by the group American Nativity Scene which, along with the Thomas More Society, have teamed up to get free Nativity scenes displayed in all 50 states.

The U.S. Constitution's First Amendment declares: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. "

The news release said Thomas More Society lawyers "are the legal counsel responsible for setting the precedent (and) allowing religious displays on public property."

The program will include special music and public participation.

Judy Bax and Bonnie Lee, organizers of the yearly event, have garnered many local participants - including the Blair Oaks Select Choir, Wardsville and Our Lady of the Snows fifth- through eighth-grade choir from Mary's Home.

For more information, contact Bonnie Lee by email at [email protected] or by phone at 573-881-0963.