Shrine welcomes Christmas with 250,000 lights, 200 Nativity scenes

Published: 2005-12-05

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (CNS) -- As it has for more than 50 years, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro is again bringing the light of Christ to thousands from across New England with its annual Christmas display of more than 250,000 lights. "It's a work of love and it makes us joyful," La Salette Brother Bob Russell, director of the shrine, said of its annual Festival of Lights. "It promotes the message of La Salette and when people come here they experience the beauty of this place. It's a prayerful place to spend time with Our Lady and Our Lord." The theme for 2005 is "We Are the Light of the World," selected to emphasize the beatitudes and the idea that "if we feel that Jesus is our light, we should express that to others," said Brother Russell. "People come here to get into the Christmas spirit and we want to promote Christ as our light," he added. "Our focus is on the Christ child." The Festival of Lights began on Thanksgiving night and continues until Jan. 1.

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