TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Nativity Scene On Truck Rolls Around Indiana Town's Ban

The Associated Press

Jack Ruckel of Lafayette, Ind., describes the mobile manger display on Monday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: December 16, 2008

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Tippecanoe County officials may ban manger scenes from the courthouse lawn, but they can't stop the baby Jesus from appearing in the back of a pickup.

Jack Ruckel of Lafayette brought his mobile manger back to the courthouse Monday night. It's the 10th straight year the illuminated display has appeared there.

Ruckel conceived the idea after county commissioners banned Christmas displays from county property in 1999. "It just bothered me so much," Ruckel said.

Beneath a light bulb, plastic figurines of Mary, Joseph, a camel, cow and donkey sit nestled in hay around the baby doll representing Jesus in the covered pickup bed. The lighting is powered by a small generator that runs off the truck's battery.

"I've never seen anything like that, said Sara Wolfson on Monday night on way to dinner in downtown Lafayette. "I understand and agree that Nativity scenes shouldn't be on the courthouse lawn, but I am all for inventive ways to get around the rule."

Ruckel sits in his truck parked in front of the courthouse nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Christmas night, handing out candy canes. Drivers honk as they pass and people stop by to offer him coffee or gas money.

"When someone drives by, just for a second, I want them to think about the true meaning of Christmas. Without this, we wouldn't have Christmas," Ruckel said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT