Liberty Counsel commends the Lincoln, NE, Public Schools for taking prompt action to reverse its rejection of privately sponsored Christmas party invitations. These Christmas party flyers will now be allowed for distribution.

Based on an outdated regulation, district personnel were concerned that the flyers could not contain “religious” Christmas holiday elements, including lights on a Christmas tree depicting the Star of David; a tiny cross atop a Christmas tree; the word “Bible” describing stories; and the word “Christmas” describing the party.

After Liberty Counsel reached out to the district, setting forth the law and offering pro bono assistance on Christmas or other issues should the district be challenged, the district responded, correcting the mistake.

Given all of the misinformation out there, it is almost understandable that district staff had questions about the flyers. Private religious speech has the highest legal protection; schools must treat it equally with private secular speech.

Liberty Counsel is prepared to defend any school district for extending equal treatment toward both religious and secular viewpoints, as the law requires. We are a friend to school districts that act within the law.

If you haven’t already, print your copy of Liberty Counsel’s "Naughty & Nice" list, which overviews retailers that acknowledge Christmas and those that do not.