Letter: Festival-goers make us proud

December 12, 2012

5 Comments

Baton Rouge has been blessed with some beautiful people!

Friday evening, I had the privilege to be a small part of the Festival of Lights in downtown Baton Rouge. As the hundreds of families gathered to celebrate the kickoff of the Christmas season together, I was overwhelmed by the sense of community that was ringing like Christmas bells in the air.

Our booths offered a simple craft and a photo-op in the manger. It was the goal of our church family to bring a reminder of the Lord of Light to the Festival of Lights, but we found ourselves so engulfed in the warmth and love of our community that we couldn’t help but recognize His presence was already there!

As families waited in long lines, put on costumes, posed for pictures and then waited again for their pictures to print (sometimes an extra 10 minutes due to “technical difficulties”), patience and grace flowed from the hearts of our city. It was a joy to see the smiling faces and hear the happy chatter of families enjoying their time together. Not to mention how gorgeous our people are! I wish I had gotten permission to publish some of their pictures because they were amazing.

I and my fellow volunteers left the event exhausted, but with spirits soaring. I am proud to call myself a citizen of Baton Rouge and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Thank you Downtown Development for allowing us to be a part, and thank you Baton Rouge for being the wonderful people that you are!

Cheryl Lott, director children’s ministry

First Presbyterian Church

Baton Rouge

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Comments (5)


1) Comment by DMJ - 05/12/2012

Fair enough. As long as there's no nativity on public property, I have no problem. Free exercise of citizens' freedom of religion is one thing; the explicit endorsement of a specific religion by a government entity is another. It wouldn't be the first time such a violation of the Establishment Clause happened in downtown B.R. In fact, it happens every Metro Council meeting, as each and every meeting is opened with a Christian prayer....not a moment of silence or reflection....a Christian prayer, which is obviously illegal, but happens anyway. Just saying...it's not worth violating the Constitution to appease the majority.

2) Comment by Stephen - 05/12/2012

In my opinion the Festival of Lights is legal, as DMJ uses that expression. It seems calculated to be welcoming to those of all beliefs or no beliefs at all. The letter writer was there with a church group, true. However, it seems to be a 'public forum 'use of the public space and well within Constitutional lines. We have a 'no establishment' and a 'free exercise' balance which must be struck when looking at these things. From what I can tell, the organizers were consciously leaving the event open to everyone to participate in (i.e., It was a Festival of Lights and not a Christmas festival). Now, I must agree with DMJ that events like this do raise concerns, but I must disagree with DMJ that this one crossed the line. The church group was engaged in a use of the public space which does not raise establishment concerns for me. In fact, it heartens me. It was a temporary use of a public forum for purposes of free exercise of their beliefs and an expression of the same.

3) Comment by gofigger - 05/12/2012

Ivy - Amen!

4) Comment by Ivy - 05/12/2012

Peace and good will towards all men (mankind) should be legal. Come up with something more egalitarian that gets the same message across and we'll consider it. Otherwise, shut up and pass the eggnog (LOL).

5) Comment by DMJ - 05/12/2012

I can't say I'm a fan of a municpality endorsing a particular religion. This can't be legal.