The 2024 Tiny Tim Toast goes to:

THE CITIZENS OF SWEETWATER, TEXAS

In lieu of its annual Ebenezer Award, Becket is happy to announce its inaugural Tiny Tim Toast, offered to an individual or group who inspires hope and perseverance in the face of adversity during the Christmas and Hanukkah season. This year’s winner is a group of citizens in Sweetwater, Texas, who fought to keep a Nativity scene at their local county courthouse after a complaint called on the government to take it down. 

Earlier this month, a resident of Sweetwater, Texas, penned a letter in the local newspaper calling for the removal of a Nativity scene at the Nolan County Courthouse. The resident complained that allowing a religious display outside of a government building violated the law. In response, dozens of Sweetwater citizens rallied at a forum in which they defended the Nativity scene’s rightful place in Sweetwater’s public square. They filled the county commissioners’ meeting and argued that the Nativity is perfectly legal and was not funded by county taxpayers. Thanks to their valiant efforts, the Nativity remains in place outside of the courthouse. 

“When the humbug spirit tried to snuff out Sweetwater’s cherished Nativity scene, the locals stood their ground with unshakable resolve,” said Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of Becket.“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.” 

Becket’s new Tiny Tim Toast is inspired by the enduring spirit of hope, perseverance, and joy embodied by the beloved character from A Christmas Carol. In contrast to the Ebenezer Award, which highlights the most outrageous offenders of the holidays, the Tiny Tim Toast celebrates those who inspire that spirit during this Christmas and Hanukkah season. The Sweetwater citizens’ act of preservation and hope underscores the growing recognition of faith’s importance in American life. In fact, one of the results from Becket’s 2024 Religious Freedom Index shows that 62% of Americans believe that people of faith are part of the solution to the problems our nation faces. The full report will be released on National Religious Freedom Day, January 16, 2025. 

“Every Christmas and Hanukkah season, there are some bureaucrats and activists who seek to shut out the lights on religious displays and expression,” said Rienzi. “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.” 

Becket wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous New Year! 

See Previous Ebenezer Award Winners

What is the Proper Role of Government in Religious Displays?

1. Because religious holidays are an important part of human culture, governments are allowed to recognize and celebrate those holidays with appropriate symbols.
2. The Supreme Court has long upheld government holiday displays that send “a message of pluralism and freedom of belief during the holiday season,” including displays that have distinctive religious elements.
3. Although public opinion and the law are on the side of religious holidays, some bureaucrats insist on scrubbing the public square of any religious references. This often leads to absurd results.
4. One fairly recent tactic is to try to force local governments to permit displays that mock or belittle religion if the government permits displays that recognize religious holidays. But that’s not the law. Just as the government doesn’t have to include a pacifist memorial next to every war memorial, it doesn’t have to include mockery of religion next to every crèche or Christmas tree.