I have not been able to get worked up, one way or the other, about the nativity scene that the City Council agreed Tuesday could be put in Moore Square. But, generally, my opinion is something along the lines of: The council should respect the community's wishes.

I don't know if there is a consensus on the issue, but a story I heard Wednesday may be relevant. It may tell us something about the community.

Mark Boone, a 54-year-old business consultant, grew up in Raleigh but lived in San Jose, Calif., for 15 years. One year when he living in California he was moved to put up a sign on his roof during the Christmas season reading: "Jesus is born."

"A number of people stopped by and said, 'Isn't that illegal?' " Boone said. He would explain that the sign was on private property and was, in fact, legal.

Later, he moved back to North Carolina (he lives off Ebenezer Church Road in North Raleigh) and put up the same sign. Boone chuckles when recalling the different reaction he got here:

"As I was [putting it up], my neighbor said, 'That looks like you're going to put up a nativity scene. Don't you think you should put a manger there?"

What this tale tells us about our community, I'm not sure. But I know I'm not going to get worked up about Moore Square.