This week, a religious liberty advocacy awarded a group of citizens in a Texas town for resisting a resident's attempt to have a Nativity scene outside their local courthouse taken down. In a press release published Tuesday, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty announced that the citizens of Sweetwater, a town of approximately 10,000 people about 40 miles west of Abilene, were the recipients of its inaugural "Tiny Tim Toast" award after they showed up in droves to oppose the removal of the Nativity scene outside the Nolan County Courthouse.

Carolyn Anne Frawley, a Sweetwater resident, called for the Nativity's removal, citing the separation of church and state. Frawly initially expressed her opposition to the display in the Sweetwater Reporter in her letter.

Although Frawley capitalized "Jewish," "Muslim," "atheist," and "freethinkers" in her letter, she notably left "Christian" uncapitalized.

"Not all residents of Nolan County are of one religion," Faraway wrote in part. "There are people who are Jewish and maybe even Muslim and, of course, atheists. Yes, we do exist even though many christians choose to ignore or use intimidation to keep Freethinkers whispering instead of speaking out."

"The Obvious christian law display must be removed from our public property. The Nolan County Courthouse is a representative and place for government business for ALL Nolan County residents, not just christians," she added.

Frawley also attended a public forum at the Nolan County Commissioners Court on Dec. 9 regarding her call to take down the Nativity. According to CBS affiliate KTXS, Frawly was the only one who spoke out against the display.

"The religious display should be removed from the Nolan County courthouse lawn," Frawley said. "It is a taxpayer-supported public building where county and city business is conducted. It is not a church, and the display is an over-Christian display."

Meanwhile, eight other people spoke in favor of the Nativity display, and the authorities' lack of action on the issue meant that the display would remain outside the courthouse.

"When the humbug spirit tried to snuff out Sweetwater's cherished Nativity scene, the locals stood their ground with unshakable resolve," Mark Rienzi, who serves as president and CEO of Becket, said in a statement provided to The Christian Post. "God bless them for the courage they showed in the face of adversity — it should be an inspiration to all those who wish to keep the Christmas and Hanukkah season sacred."

According to the Becket Law's website, the "Tiny Tim Toast" award — named after the boy in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol — was awarded in place of Becket's annual "Ebenezer Award," which for 23 years highlighted "the most outrageous offenders of the holidays."

The group explained they chose instead to highlight "an individual or group who inspires hope and perseverance in the face of adversity during the Christmas and Hanukkah season."

"Every Christmas and Hanukkah season, there are some bureaucrats and activists who seek to shut out the lights on religious displays and expression," Rienzi said. "This year, Becket is happy to raise a hearty toast to all those who stood firm against these efforts, unwavering in defending faith's rightful place in the public square. Here's to you, the citizens of Sweetwater, Texas, for keeping the faith."

As revealed in the Becket's 2024 Religious Freedom Index, 62 percent of Americans believe that people of faith are essential to solving the nation's challenges.

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