State Representative Jim Lyons addresses the audience at his last Christmas nativity in the Massachusetts State House.
SHNS Photo by Chris Triunfo.
By Chris Triunfo
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
State Representative Jim Lyons hosted his final nativity ceremony at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, but the man who for eight years has been one of the most vocal critics of Democratic leadership on Beacon Hill spoke very little and instead let his guests to do the talking.
The Andover Republican, who leaves office in January after losing his re-election bid to Democrat Tram Nguyen, was joined by Governor Charlie Baker and fellow state Representatives Peter Durant (R-Spencer), Shaun O’Connell (R-Taunton), David DeCoste (R-Norwell), Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), and William Crocker (R-Centerville) for what has become a Christmastime tradition for some at the State House.
Baker, who provided opening remarks, spoke briefly about the importance and significance of faith.
“I’ve had this job now for four years and I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of people in some difficult circumstances,” the governor said. “Almost always, whether I’m with a group of fifty, five hundred, five or two, someone will talk about there being light in the darkness, and they’ll talk about the importance of faith. That’s exactly what this and so many other religious traditions across this great pluralistic country of ours are all about.”
Lyons and his fellow representatives did not speak, instead opening the floor to local religious leaders, who read from the Bible and led prayers.
A day earlier, Lyons made headlines when he announced he will run for chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party after state Representative Geoff Diehl (R-Whitman) quietly announced he would not seek the post. Durant and Massachusetts GOP treasurer Brent Andersen are also seeking the post.
“I decided given the circumstances, that I’m going to take a run at it and see how it goes,” Lyons said Wednesday. He also expressed a desire to see unity within the state GOP.
“I think it’s real important that we leverage the fact that we have a popular governor who’s doing a great job and it’s important that as Republicans we can all work together,” Lyons told State House News Service.
In 2016, Lyons had trouble getting the first nativity scene going. Originally planned to sit on the State House lawn, the Bureau of the State House rejected the plan, finally approving a display and event inside the building instead. Since then, members of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which co-hosts the event with Lyons, have gathered in the Great Hall for the annual tradition.
As the ceremony ended, Lyons signaled that while this may be the end of his time as a state representative, the nativity display will keep going without him.
“Please be sure to come back next year, with at least one more person, is that O.K.?” he asked attendants with a grin.
State Representative Jim Lyons addresses the audience at his last Christmas nativity in the Massachusetts State House.
SHNS Photo by Chris Triunfo. 
