Cold in the Night

This story out of Wisconsin rivals the absurdity of the Christian churches holding no services on Christmas Day.

Ridgeway Elementary School in Ridgeway, Wisconsin, is definitely a contender for the award for the most blatant example of the bastardization of Christmas.
The Liberty Counsel, a group that provides pro bono legal assistance in the areas of religious liberty, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family, has taken on Ridgeway Elementary School on behalf of a parent troubled by the school's celebration of the winter holidays, according to a December 7, 2005, press release from the organization.Baptist Press writes:
An elementary school in Wisconsin allegedly has written new lyrics for "Silent Night" for its winter program, stripping away all references to Christ and replacing them with winter weather themes.

The conservative legal group Liberty Counsel says that Ridgeway Elementary School -- located approximately 30 miles west of Madison -- is asking students to memorize "Cold in the Night," sung to the tune of the popular Christmas carol "Silent Night." Liberty Counsel also says the school has decorated its classrooms with Santa Clauses, Kwanza-themed items, Menorahs and a "Labafana" -- which Liberty Counsel says is a Christmas witch -- but has no Christmas decorations.

Liberty Counsel, which represents a student's parent, says it will file a lawsuit if the situation is not addressed. The group sent a letter to school administrators.

"When a school changes 'Silent Night' to 'Cold in the Night' and secularizes the lyrics, it is hostile to Christianity, and its actions violate the First Amendment," Liberty Counsel President Mathew Staver told Baptist Press.

"The law is clear that Christmas is constitutional, and when a public school intentionally mocks Christian Christmas songs by secularizing their content, they cross the line from being neutral to putting itself in a hostile position."

A request by Baptist Press seeking comment from a Ridgeway Elementary School administrator was not returned.

Why am I not surprised?

Staver said the school's actions violate both the First Amendment's free speech guarantees and the religious free exercise clause.

According to Liberty Counsel, the lyrics of "Silent Night" have been changed to:

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

"It's about a cold winter night sung to the tune of Silent Night," Staver said. "When you hear this song sung, it's the traditional Silent Night hymn."

The first verse of Silent Night traditionally reads:

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Not only is the birth of Christ omitted from Ridgeway's version of "Silent Night," they've given the melody creepy, depressing lyrics. It's sure to be a real downer when performed by the children at the winter program.

"How I wish I were happy and warm, Safe with my family out of the storm."

Not exactly a very heart-warming, feel good song, is it?

As far as the "Labafana" goes, I'd never heard of her before this story. I couldn't find too much on this Christmas witch.

One website describes her as a grandmotherly, benevolent figure.

Another site says that Labafana is part of Italian tradition. Instead of Santa Claus, this witch rides a broom, delivering presents. Legend has it that the three wise men asked Labafana to accompany them to see the Christ child. Labafana replied that she was too busy. Plagued by guilt, Labafana brings gifts, still searching for the holy child.

I have no problem with the children learning about the traditions, religious and secular, of various cultures.

What's disturbing is that Christianity is banned from the decorations and the program.

If the school intends to be inclusive, why is it excluding any images or songs related to Christmas?

I don't think Labafana is enough. She is probably so foreign to most of the kids that the Christmas witch doesn't provide adequate representation of the Christian celebration. Although the legend deals with the birth of Christ, she's not a recognizable Christian symbol, certainly not in Wisconsin. Moreover, there is no indication that Labafana's connection with the Three Kings is even being taught.

I agree with the Liberty Counsel that Ridgeway Elementary has created an environment that is hostile to the beliefs and traditions of Christian children.

The students should not be forced to sing a mocking rendition of "Silent Night," a beloved Christmas carol which tenderly depicts the beauty of Christ's birth.

If you'd like to let the faculty at Ridgeway know how you feel about their winter program and activities, call 1-608-924-3461.