Governor Sanders Defends Christmas Office Closure Against Religious Freedom Group
In a bold stance on religious expression in public office, Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has firmly rejected demands from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) to reverse her decision to close state offices on Friday, December 26, in observance of Christmas. The exchange, which began with a proclamation from the Governor’s office extending the Christmas holiday for state employees, has evolved into a meaningful conversation about the role of faith in public service and government communications.
The FFRF, an organization dedicated to maintaining separation of church and state, sent Sanders a letter claiming her Christmas proclamation was unconstitutional because it used her “official capacity” to “advance a specific religious viewpoint, in violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.” Their concern centered on the explicitly Christian language in the Governor’s holiday message, suggesting it should have focused more on secular aspects of the season. In their view, government communications should remain neutral on matters of religion to avoid alienating non-Christian constituents and crossing constitutional boundaries.
Governor Sanders’ response was unequivocal and deeply personal, writing “I will do no such thing” in her refusal to retract the proclamation. She challenged the very premise that government officials could or should remain neutral on matters of faith, stating: “Christmas is not simply an ‘end-of-year holiday’ with ‘broadly observed secular cultural aspects’… It’s not gifts, trees, and stockings that make this holiday special. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and if we are to honor Him properly, we should tell His miraculous, world-changing story properly, too.” Her response highlights the tension between secular governance and the personal religious convictions that many public officials bring to their roles, suggesting that authentic expression of faith can coexist with inclusive leadership.
The Governor pointed to what she sees as an irony in the timing of the FFRF’s complaint, noting that she received it while “leaving a Menorah lighting celebration with people from all across Arkansas.” This reference to her participation in a Jewish religious ceremony served as her counterargument to accusations of religious exclusivity. Sanders suggested that her administration’s approach actually creates more religious inclusivity, writing that “only by voicing our own faith and celebrating other faiths can we make our state’s diverse religious communities feel seen and heard.” This perspective offers an alternative view to the strict separationist position – proposing that authentic religious expression from leaders of various faiths might create a more genuinely pluralistic environment than enforced neutrality.
In addressing the substance of her Christmas proclamation, Sanders explained that her intent was “not to browbeat readers with Christian doctrine” but “rather to point to the humility of Christ’s birth and to the amazing fact that the King of Kings was born not in a palace or temple, but in a humble manger attended only by poor shepherds.” This explanation reveals her understanding of the Christmas story as containing universal values beyond strictly religious significance – themes of humility and accessibility that she apparently believes can resonate with citizens regardless of their personal faith traditions. The Governor’s defense suggests she sees no contradiction between her role as a public servant representing all Arkansans and her identity as a Christian who finds meaning and inspiration in biblical narratives.
The exchange concludes with Sanders offering a distinctly Christian message to the FFRF, writing: “Though you may enter this season with bitterness, know that Christ is with you, that He loves you, and that He died for your sins just the same as He did for mine and everyone else’s.” This closing statement, perhaps the most overtly religious element of her response, demonstrates her unwillingness to compartmentalize her faith even when addressing those who challenge its expression in her governmental role. The incident highlights continuing tensions in American public life around religious expression by government officials, the meaning of religious freedom, and differing interpretations of constitutional principles regarding separation of church and state. As the holiday season continues, this exchange offers a window into how these perennial questions manifest in contemporary governance and civic discourse.
