Dear Editor,

I wanted to share my thoughts on "Why Christmas Matters".
Today, I went to my nine year old sons class at Blue Grass Elementary in Knoxville Tn. as they were having their "Holiday Party".
The day before they celebrated what they called, "Holiday's Around the World", where each of the six third grade classes took a country to learn and celebrate and make something from how that country celebrates "The Holiday". Guess they were actually meaning Christmas, but as we all know, are not allowed to say.
My son's class had Holland, and made a boomerang necklace...I always think of Australia for boomerangs...go figure.
Another class had Italy and learned the story of "Old Befana", as I have heard... it's a story about an old lady who keeps to herself, cleans erratically with an old broom and wants to give the Christ Child a gift so she chases after him on her broom but never catches him. This is how my son described it. I don't know... Is she a witch? No wonder she doesn't catch him.
Another class did Hanukkah and they learned about the Dreidel game, and a few others that I can't remember.
I sent an email to his teacher telling her that I found a book that I would like to share with the class and asked if I could come in and read it, "The Legend of the Candy Cane".
I would also bring candy canes in for all of the 116 students in the third grade. I typed, printed and attached 116 hand tied messages of the legend of the candy cane to the candy with a red ribbon. I came in and read the book to his class and passed out small red stockings with a book marker that shared the legend of the candy and a candy cane too.
On the stocking it spelled out the name of Jesus in candy cane letters.
The teacher came up to me and explained that she didn't think I would be allowed to hand them out, as I asked why, she wouldn't say anything. I said, is it because they say Jesus on them? She responded yes. We can't offend someone who may not believe in Christianity.
I asked if I wrote on them that it was a gift from my son, would it be ok to hand them out, and she said that she would have to get permission from the principal. She returned only to tell me, 'I'm so sorry but we can't.'
Now we had to take back all the children's stocking's with the candy canes.
I attempted to take out enough of the other pieces of paper where I had written out the legend of the candy cane and just handed out the candy, as so they would have something to take home.
As I left I spoke to the principal about my reading of this book, and why these things were not allowed.
His response was.. I too am a Christian, but we have to watch what we say and hand out to the kids as to not offend anyone who may be of another religion. We have guidelines that we go by from the school board that are very strict. I don't make up these rules, but I do have to enforce them.
As I sat there trying to fight back my tears, I no longer could. I told him I didn't understand why it's ok to bring in items from other places and religions but we are not allowed to talk about Christianity or to say the name Jesus?
His response was, we have guidelines that we have to go by and these things have to be approved by the board.
The book that I read was not approved and if they had known I would not have been able to read it either.
So why is it that they are allowed to speak of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa.... and send in Jewish toys, a broom that represents the one Old Befana flew on in the sky, and why do they allow books like Harry Potter that is all about witchcraft weather it is fiction or not, the children get caught up in them and they become very real to them.So why is it that a stocking with the name of Jesus is not allowed or the legend of the candy cane to be told?
Sounds like a double standard to me.
If they allow one religion to be talked about, then they should allow all. Including Christianity, and Christmas. I'm tired of walking on egg shells around people who claim they want to be Americans , live in America but want us Christians to bow down to them and make it so they don't get offended. Isn't America about freedom of speech, and one nation under God? I don't believe the American constitution says anything about Allah or Buddha or any other God. It says God, and Jesus Christ is God. He doesn't care where you are from, or what religion you are. I'm sure he hates all these different religions and what they are doing to His children. So why push him out? He is the God of love, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, our Lord and Savior.
I am offended by what happened to me today, but it wasn't just me they hurt. It was and most importantly God, who was hurt.
As the principal told me.. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. I said... Oh I am not embarrassed at all... I am ashamed by what we have become and stand for and I hurt for my Savior Jesus Christ. Who lives in me and died for us all.
We celebrate Christmas , because it is when we observe the birth of Christ, who loves us all no matter what we say or do to him, no matter where we are from, no matter what religion we claim. He loves us all , that is why Christmas matters.
It's respect of our religion, Christianity...... weather you are from America or where ever.
If you can't say Christmas, Christ, Jesus or bring in a candy cane. Then take all religions out of the school, not just Christianity.
This is why Christmas matters, they are taking Christ out of Christmas and everything else.

I hope and pray that you can shed some light on this matter and bring it to the attention of all Christians to take a stand and stop letting this radical world dictate to Christians that we are offending their religion. Because they are offending my God, Jesus Christ. Stand up people, just like Jesus did so many times in the face of the enemy. He died nailed to a cross in a standing position, then three days later, walked out and stood again.
Think about that... and take a stand for Why Christmas matters.
He will always matter.

Tammy Harper
Knoxville Tn
I will always stand up for my God, who is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, God of love and eternal life.