Keeping Christ in Christmas

I wanted to bring you another victory in the ongoing effort to ensure that the constitutional rights of students are protected - especially during the Christmas season.
 
This case actually began last January - after Christmas.  A parent in Virginia requested our assistance after her 2nd grade daughter ran into a problem when she wanted to share a Christmas gift with her classmates.
 
The student wanted to give her classmates a candy cane and a card with this message:

A Gift for You:

I hope you enjoy this candy cane.
As you take it in your hand, turn it upside down and you will see the J that reminds us of Jesus who was born on Christmas Day.
Turn it back upright and you will see the crook that reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd.
The stripes are a reminder that He was beaten for us.
The red color reminds us how He shed His blood for us on Calvary.
The white tells us how He can wash our sins white as snow.
As you taste this candy cane be reminded that fellowship with Jesus is ever so sweet.
Merry Christmas!

According to the parent, after the candy canes and the Christmas message were distributed last year, a teacher stepped in and sent some of the message cards back to the students mother, citing concerns about the religious nature of the message.
 
Because our clients wanted to give the same gifts this year for Christmas, I directed our legal team to clearly spell out for the school district that the student has the right to distribute the Christmas gift to classmates during non-instructional time, and that her choice of gift - including the message about Jesus - did not violate the Constitution or school policy.
 
I am pleased to report that the school district has agreed this Christmas season to permit the student to distribute the candy canes and the message about Jesus.