Christmas in Public Schools
What Christian Students, Parents and Teachers are allowed to do
Christmas is a wonderful season for students to express their faith at school in natural, respectful ways.
Many parents and teachers feel unsure about what is allowed. The truth is that students have strong First Amendment protections, and schools may acknowledge Christmas for cultural and historical purposes.
This page gives you clear, practical guidance so your family can bring the hope of Christmas to school legally and confidently.
During Christmas, students may:
• Say Merry Christmas
• Talk about Jesus with friends
• Bring Christian Christmas cards
• Give gifts with Bible verses
• Wear Christian Christmas shirts or accessories
• Read the Bible during free time
• Write about Jesus in assignments with personal choice
• Draw nativity scenes and Christian art
• Share Scriptures or encouragement voluntarily
• Pray during lunch, recess, or before meals
• Decorate lockers with Christian messages if decorating is permitted
Students have broad religious freedom at school as long as they are respectful and not disruptive.
Students May Bring Up God in Classroom Discussions
If the teacher opens a discussion where personal beliefs, traditions, or viewpoints are allowed, students may bring up their Christian faith.
Examples:
“What does Christmas mean to you?”
“Share a family holiday tradition.”
“Write about a meaningful holiday memory.”
“How does your family celebrate Christmas?”
Students may talk about Jesus, the nativity, God, church, and their Christian beliefs.
This is fully protected as private student expression.
Parent Rights at Christmas
What Parents CAN Do
Parents can play a big role in encouraging students and blessing staff.
Parents may:
* Send Christian Christmas cards or gifts to teachers
* Volunteer at classroom parties when invited
* Provide treats or optional crafts
* Donate Christian themed books (if the school approves)
* Give Scripture bookmarks or ornaments
* Pray at drop off or pickup
* Request permission to send flyers (if allowed generally)
* Give Christmas notes to staff, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers
* Support their child in expressing their faith
Teacher Rights at Christmas
Teach Christmas As History and Culture
Christmas origins
Christmas traditions around the world
The history of Christmas music
Nativity art as cultural history
Christmas literature or poetry
Use Sacred Christmas Music: Schools can legally include carols like:
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Joy to the World
Wear Subtle Christian Jewelry
Cross necklace
Christmas pin
Faith bracelet
Display Small Personal Christmas Items
Desk nativity ornament
Christian Christmas card
Scripture bookmark
Participate Outside Instructional Time
Help with voluntary Christian clubs
Pray privately
Attend Christian Christmas events
Answer Student Questions Factually
Teachers may explain the historical meaning of Christmas when asked.
Christmas Concerts and Events
Schools CAN:
Include sacred and secular songs
Teach carols for cultural education
Display Christmas decorations
Students CAN:
Sing Christian carols assigned by the teacher
Wear Christian jewelry
Pray quietly before performing
Bring Christian thank you notes to teachers
Schools CANNOT:
Require religious worship
Ban sacred music while allowing other cultural music
Christmas Parties in School
What Is Allowed at Class Parties
Students CAN:
Bring Christian treats or gifts
Wear Christian Christmas apparel
Make Christian Christmas crafts (if student initiated)
Talk about Jesus with friends
Share what Christmas means to them
Parents CAN:
Bring optional Christian craft supplies
Provide snacks with verses (if approved)
Volunteer when invited
Teachers:
Must allow student religious expression but cannot require religious activities.God promises wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5).
Christmas Cards Gifts and Messages
Students CAN:
Hand out Christmas cards with Scripture
Give gifts with Christian messages
Draw nativity scenes
Include Bible verses in assignments
Parents CAN:
Give Christian cards to teachers
Send small Christian gifts
Add Scripture verse tags to treats
Important:
If Valentine cards are allowed, Christian Christmas cards must be allowed too.
Christmas in Assignments and Art
Students may choose Christian themes when assignments allow personal choice.
Allowed:
Nativity drawings
Scripture references
Christian Christmas stories
The meaning of Jesus birth
Teachers must grade by academic standards, not viewpoint.
Christian Clothing and Expression
Allowed as long as general dress code is followed:
Jesus is the reason for the season shirts
Scripture Christmas shirts
Nativity hoodies
Christian bracelets
Cross necklaces
Sports Events during Christmas
A Powerful Time to Share God’s Love
Sports events in December are a huge opportunity for gentle, loving outreach.
Students and Families CAN:
Wear Christian Christmas shirts or hats
Wear “Jesus is the reason for the season” hoodies
Give teammates Christian Christmas cards
Share candy canes with verse tags
Pray with teammates voluntarily before or after games
Invite teammates to church Christmas services
Make encouragement signs like:
Joy to the World
God so loved the world
Peace on earth
Jesus brings hope
Ideas for Outreach at Sports Events
Bless Coaches and Refs
Give:
Small gifts with verses
Thank you cards
Christmas devotion bookmark
Christmas Opportunities to
Share God's Love
Christmas Makes Faith Conversations Natural
Christmas is the easiest time of the year for students to share God’s love because:
Everyone expects Christmas messages
People are more open to kindness
Gifts and cards create natural openings
Students discuss traditions in class
Teachers are more receptive to encouragement
Ways to Share God’s Love
Give Christmas cards with Scripture
Bless classmates with kindness notes
Bless teachers with small gifts
Share nativity crafts
Pray with friends outside instructional time
Help a lonely or struggling classmate
Bring joy, encouragement, and Christian love to sports teams
Legal References and Sources
U.S. Department of Education: Religious Expression in Public Schools
Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Schools
Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court decision
Equal Access Act
First Amendment Free Speech Rights
Alliance Defending Freedom Student Rights Handbook
ACLJ Religious Rights in Public Schools
Liberty Counsel Student Rights Guidelines
National School Boards Association Holiday Program Guidance
Federal case law supporting sacred music in concerts
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