The Taylor Christmas Parade of Lights has been a beloved family tradition in Taylor as long as I can remember. I moved here in 1985.
The parade is a family friendly event all about Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The parade’s tradition also includes Santa Claus. That familiar name is the Americanized name of Saint Nicholas, a devout Christian in the third century. Nicholas suffered persecution for his uncompromising faith. He was devoted to serving and protecting the poor, needy and suffering, especially children.
He is the patron saint of children. That is ironic given the controversy surrounding our Christmas parade.
The Taylor Christmas Parade of Lights celebrates the long tradition of uncompromising faith in Jesus Christ. The values represented in the Taylor Christmas Parade of Lights are values long upheld in Scripture and in the historic Christian church.
The organizers of the parade have never required specific themes, certainly not religious themes. That holds true this year.
We do require lights.
It is a parade of lights celebrating the Light of the world. Churches, organizations, businesses, even politicians, are welcome to participate in Taylor’s annual Christmas parade. Entries have always honored the spirit of Christmas and the longstanding moral traditions of the Bible.
That is, until last year.
The 2021 Taylor Christmas Parade of Lights, for the first time ever, had drag queens dancing for our children, all the way down Main Street. I take full responsibility for the oversight that led to this inappropriate public display that was witnessed the entire route. When the churches of the alliance met in January of this year, pastors legitimately questioned how such a display was allowed in.
In response to the vulgar display during last year’s parade, the organizers are asking that entries not conflict with traditional biblical and family values. The same values adhered to for decades leading up to 2021, values the city now considers exclusive. Their own parade rules “reserve the right to refuse entry,” so who draws the line? The organizers of the annual Christmas parade unashamedly support and seek to guard these long held traditional values. We fully understand and do not expect that everyone watching the parade holds those same values. All are welcomed and encouraged to come enjoy the parade, no matter your beliefs, values, or lifestyle.
There is a difference between watching or riding in the parade while not holding certain beliefs or values; versus, having an official entry or display that promotes values and beliefs contrary those of the organizers and the majority in our community.
As a Christian pastor helping organize the parade, as a member of the alliance of churches, as a father and grandfather, I would politely refuse entry to any group seeking to be in the parade that promotes contrary values to our children.
I support traditional values and the Taylor Christmas Parade of Lights. For our children’s future, I pray you do also. Speak up, don’t be intimidated!
