CHAMBERSBURG — They called themselves a Christian army, gathering Saturday to demand restoration of the Nativity scene to Chambersburg’s public square.

Determined to “proclaim” more than protest, the demonstration was orderly bordering on solemn. The group of old and young — some holding signs, one with a large plastic replica of Joseph and another dressed as a shepherd — marched quietly around the circular square surrounding Memorial Fountain, where the nearly life-size creche had been displayed for nearly 50 Christmas seasons.

The crowd ebbed and flowed, with estimates ranging from 100 people to organizers’ claims of more than 200.

The only sounds were car horns as passing motorists responded to the “Honk for Jesus” signs.

Then, they gathered before the Franklin County Courthouse steps, a gold-leaf adorned statue of Ben Franklin peering down from his perch atop the dome, to make their stand.

Lisa Blackstock of Mercersburg, who spearheaded the demonstration, saluted them as fellow soldiers of Christ and assured them they were at war.

The enemy wasn't PA Nonbelievers Capital Area director Carl Silverman, who pressed the borough to allow a sign that read "Celebrating Solstice — Honoring Atheist War Veterans" to accompany the manger scene on the square. And it wasn't the Chambersburg Borough Council who voted unanimously last week to amend its policy and prohibit all displays at the fountain or risk opening the public venue to extreme requests, perhaps from Nazi groups.



No, Blackstock said, the enemy was no less than the devil himself.

“There are only two choices — God and the devil,” she said. “I was called to do this. . . I’m a soldier in God’s army. If I was standing here by myself, God would be by my side and I would be in the majority.”