Private expressions of religious belief in the public square deserve robust legal protection


Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net; On site: Sandra Lee Snowden, Founder, Reclaim Christmas for Christ, 312-953-3108, sandra@reclaimchristmasforchrist.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 8, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- This past Monday, January 6, the Knights of Columbus ceremoniously set up an Epiphany display, sponsored by Sandra Lee Snowden, in the Florida State Capitol Rotunda. The display included a 6-foot wooden cross, designed by artist Daniel Johnson of Chicago, and hand painted with three wisemen adoring the Child Jesus in the arms of his mother, Mary. The Epiphany cross display is sponsored by Sandra Lee Snowden, founder of Reclaim Christmas for Christ. Snowden's group received no-cost assistance in the legal permit process from the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based not-for-profit public interest law firm that has facilitated the display of religious holiday tableaux throughout the country.

Grand Knight Randall Smith from the Assembly of the Knights of Columbus Tallahassee led the public ceremony in honor of the feast of Epiphany, the day when Christians -- especially those from Latin American cultures -- traditionally celebrate the wisemen bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child, as described in the Gospel of Matthew.

Rich with symbolism, the cross, named "Cross of the Nativity: Prince of Peace," includes three bolts holding the cross-beams together, which represent the Three Persons of the Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The words "Prince of Peace" come from the title given to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6, "And His name shall be called...the Prince of Peace."

Privately funded and sponsored, the Epiphany Cross display is bereft of any government aid or endorsement, and therefore, is clothed and armored with the full protection of the First Amendment of our U.S. Constitution.

About Reclaim Christmas for Christ
Reclaim Christmas for Christ is part of a national alliance working to assure freedom of religion and freedom of religious expression by means of Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter displays, privately sponsored in traditional or designated public forums.

About the Thomas More Society
Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm that exists to restore respect in law for life, marriage, and religious liberty. Headquartered in Chicago, the Society fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro-bono professional legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court. www.thomasmoresociety.org