Dodgeville, WI - Ridgeway Elementary School's "winter program" has changed the name of "Silent Night" to "Cold in the Night." Sung to the tune of "Silent Night," the lyrics have been secularized as follows: "Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite, how I wish I were happy and warm, safe with my family out of the storm." Liberty Counsel represents a concerned parent whose child attends Ridgeway.

At the same time the school has changed the religious songs to secular, the "winter program" has included decorating classrooms with Santa Clause, Kwanza, Menorahs, and Labafana (a Christmas witch!). Liberty Counsel has issued a demand letter to the school stating that the school's actions violate the Constitution. The letter demands an immediate change in the program. Liberty Counsel is prepared to file suit if the district does not immediately remedy the situation.

Liberty Counsel's Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign will first seek to educate about the law regarding the celebration of Christmas. If education does not resolve the matter, Liberty Counsel will litigate.

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, commented: "For those who deny that there is a war on Christmas, the Wisconsin school district is exhibit A. The law is clear - Christmas is constitutional. When a public school intentionally mocks Christian Christmas songs by secularizing their content, they cross the line from a neutral position, which the Constitution requires, to a hostile position, which the Constitution forbids. Changing 'Silent Night' to 'Cold in the Night' - come on, let's stop this madness! Does the school not realize that Christmas is a national holiday?"

Dr. Jerry Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor of Liberty University, has endorsed Liberty Counsel's Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign and is urging churches to run the Friend or Foe ads in their local newspapers. The ad and the Friend or Foe legal memo can be downloaded free at LC.org. Churches may call 434-582-2432 to have the National Liberty Journal's graphics department place the church's name on the ad free of charge.

Thousands of public school teachers and administrators with Christian Education Association International and Fellowship of Christian Teachers are distributing Liberty Counsel's legal memo in their schools and communities.

Media Appearances

Last night Mat Staver appeared on MSNBC with Tucker Carlson regarding the Glendale-River Hills School District in Wisconsin banning Christmas songs.

Friday night Mat will appear on Hannity & Colmes about another Christmas case where Liberty Counsel filed suit. Saturday night he will appear on Fox with John Kasich. Last Mat appeared on NBC's Today Show about the Boston Christmas tree. Dr. Jerry Falwell appeared last night on CNN and both will appear on NBC's Dateline regarding the Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign.

Churches Running Friend or Foe Newspaper Ads

The Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign ads are appearing today in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other local newspapers thanks to the First Redeemer Church in Cummings, Georgia. The church is also placing the ads in other local newspapers. These ads will reach over 715,000 subscribers. Dr. Richard Lee is the pastor of First Redeemer that has almost 3,000 members. Churches around the country are placing the Friend or Foe ads in their local papers. You can view the ads at LC.org. If you call 434-582-2432, the National Liberty Journal's graphics department will add your church's name and contact information free of charge.

Become a Liberty Alert Sponsor of the Month and your company's message will appear here and on our web site, which receives over 100,000 hits per month. For details, please email [email protected] or call 800-671-1776. Our sponsor for December is:

Tevebaugh and Associates
Financial & Estate Planning from a Biblical Perspective
A full-service financial planning firm dedicated to serving followers of Christ
"Informing, Instructing and Equiping Believers in Biblical Stewardship Principles"
2020 Hwy A1A, Ste. 108, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937
tel: 321-777-2990 e-mail: mark@tevebaughandassociates.