If you read only one piece about holiday church-state controversies this year, make it Jonathan Zimmerman's op-ed in today's Philadelphia Inquirer. His point is simple, but poignant and true: disputes over government-sponsored Christmas displays are nothing new.
Once upon a time, in the good old days, Americans celebrated Christmas in their public schools. They sang hymns, hung stockings, and decorated trees. And nobody complained.
There's just one problem with this bleak winter's tale: It's not true. Despite what you might hear about our contemporary "War on Christmas," holiday celebrations have sparked dissent in American public schools for more than a century. By pretending otherwise, we miss an opportunity to teach our children something important about America.
He goes on to tell the story of a Jewish boycott of New York public schools over Christmas observances. In 1906. Read the whole thing.
