God Squad, including many involved in the trades, erected the Nativity scene at Daley Plaza on Nov. 27, but this year the group has a focus on the future. The God Squad has launched a fundraising campaign to replace and repair the weathered structures and statues so that the Nativity scene can inspire many generations to come. “We’re now at a point where we wanted to do some improvements to it, but we are also experiencing some increased costs from the insurance and the space down here at Daley Plaza,” said Ed O’Malley, a parishioner of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Prospect Heights and a lead organizer of the God Squad. “We’ve launched a fundraising effort to not only get us through the next few years, but we want to make this for the next 10, 15, 20 years. We want to continue to display this Nativity and continually improve on it.” The group wants to replace or repair several statues, replace the platform and build a new stable. “It’s the statues and some of the surrounding here. Some of it’s been here for 25 years. It’s time to replace it,” O’Malley said. “We’re looking at even expanding it to other areas of the city, like Millennium Park or other places where we might want to put up a Nativity.” The group is appealing to those who appreciate the scene in the plaza each year. “We’re looking for people that enjoy this and want to maintain it and keep it and improve on it,” he said. “We really want to continue to improve on what we have down here.” Some people have written letters of appreciation to the group. “The notes that we get from people who are here are moving,” O’Malley said. “They are tremendous. People recognize that this is an important part of the city in light of everything else that’s going on in society. This really brings it back to what it is all about, which is Christ who came down here to save us.” The display is located just south of the Christkindlmarket facing Dearborn Street. Many of the God Squad’s family members also attend the setup each year. Shirlee Pasko attended with her son, who volunteers, and the rest of her family. “This is Christmas. This is what we do every year,” she said. “It means everything to us.” The Nativity in Daley Plaza is on public land where citizens are allowed to erect, with approval, religious expressions. It dates back to 1985, when officials in City Hall said they would no longer allow a Nativity scene in the building’s lobby. Soon after, a group of volunteers received approval from the Public Building Commission to erect a small Nativity scene on the plaza, according to chicagonativityscene.com. However, the commission reversed its decision and removed the scene. News media covered the removal, which resulted in public outcry. The group sued the Public Building Commission in U.S. District Court and won. The display has been up between Thanksgiving and Christmas ever since. Father and son team, John F. and Joe Chesna have been part of the God Squad together for over five years, with John volunteering for over 15 years. “It’s very important because Jesus is the reason for the season,” said John Chesna, a parishioner of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Oak Lawn. “We are fighting to keep the Nativity in a public square because it’s our tradition. We have the freedom of religion in our country so this is our freedom to put this up.” Joe Chesna appreciates the tradition of helping to set up the scene each year. “This is family. This is Chicago,” he said. “This is tradition.” To donate, visit chicagonativityscene.com.
Pastor’s large Nativity scene enriches Christmas experience For the past 10 years, Father David Arcilla, pastor of Mary, Mother of Martyrs Parish in Des Plaines, has been bringing joy to parishioners of all ages with the large Nativity scene display that he sets up in the vestibule each year in Advent.
Pope marks 800th anniversary of Nativity scene, asks prayers for Holy Land Away in a cave near Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi had the first Nativity scene -- a live one -- staged for the faithful on Christmas Eve in 1223. A 15th-century fresco now decorating the cave inspired the Nativity scene erected in St. Peter's Square for the 800th anniversary celebrations.
Visit a Nativity scene in Franciscan church, receive an indulgence Eight hundred years ago, St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene in a cave in Greccio, Italy, gathering animals and people from the town to reenact the birth of Christ.