Assemblyman Richard Bloom lights the Menorah at the Third Street Promenade on the first night of Chanukah on Saturday, December 8, 2012. The Menorah lighting ceremony was presented by Chabad House Lubavitch of Santa Monica.

Volunteers from the Christian Defense Coalition staged a Live Nativity Scene at Palisades Park entitled, "The Birth of Christ. The Birth of Freedom.  The Santa Monica Nativity." on Saturday, December 8, 2012.

Santa Monica City Council  voted to ban seasonal displays in the park which was upheld by a U.S. District Court judge in November after a challenge by a Christian group.

The groups discovered the decision of the city and federal court decision only applied to "unattended" Nativity Displays in Palisades Park.  However "attended" displays are permissible.

This entire campaign is part of "The Nativity Project" which was launched by the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition and Faith and Action almost 7 years ago. This national project encourages the faith community to set up Nativity Displays in public places all across the nation.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states, "We are so thankful that a Nativity Display will be seen in Palisades Park for a 60th Consecutive year.  It is critical that the faith community did not allow the City of Santa Monica and the federal court to crush the First Amendment and religious freedom by banning a Nativity Display in Palisades Park.”

"Sadly, we are seeing an erosion of public expressions of faith across America.  This is especially true during the Christmas Season. Therefore, it is important for the Christian community to continue to speak out with passion and courage when they see the trampling of free speech rights and religious freedom.  Simply stated, the faith community will never 'go silently into the night' when these issues are at risk.”
 
"By finding a way to creatively address this injustice, the powerful message of Christmas and religious freedom will continue to be heard and seen in Palisades Park. We hope people from all across America take inspiration from this victory and stand up for these critical issues."

Live Nativity Scene - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Models for Christ stage a Live Nativity Scene at Palisades Park on Friday, December 7, 2012.

Yoplait yogurt films a commercial at the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

The Abominable Snowman was spotted at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

A woman walks past the Converse store at the Third Street Promenade on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

Japanese singers Ofuku and Hikari walk along the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

Film and television actor Josh Duhamel, 40,  runs at Santa Monica Beach during the Red Cross Youth two mile beach run on Sunday, Decenber 2, 2012.

Donations collected at this year’s Youth Run will go towards the American Red Cross PrepareSoCal campaign to help Southern Californians get ready for disasters and to gather relief supplies that could be deployed in recovery efforts such as after a major earthquake. 
 
"There is great joy in running and knowing that you're also helping the American Red Cross prepare Southern California for disaster."  Said Duhamel.

2012 sponsors include The Ford Motor Company Fund, presenting sponsor of the event, Coca Cola, Glacéau Vitamin Water, Don-A-Matrix Training, Glacéau Smart Water and Honest Tea.