WASHINGTON (TNND) — Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders doubled down on her decision to issue a proclamation shuttering state government offices on Friday, December 26, in celebration of Christmas after receiving a complaint from a legal group which advocates for the separation of church and state.

About a week ago, Sanders issued a notice alerting the public of her decision to close government offices the day after Christmas. In her proclamation, Sanders shared the story of Jesus, “the Son of God” who was born in a manger in the city of Bethlehem.

“We give thanks for the arrival of Christ the Savior, who will come again in glory and whose kingdom will have no end, by celebrating His birth each year on Christmas Day,” Sanders wrote, according to a copy obtained by Fox News Digital.

Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote a letter rebuking Sanders of her proclamation, claiming that the governor used her “official capacity” to “advance a specific religious viewpoint, in violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.” The group claimed Sanders’ proclamation was therefore unconstitutional.

But in a letter penned to Freedom from Religion Foundation’s legal counsel Christopher Line, Sanders pushed back, saying it would be “impossible” for her to keep religion out of an acknowledgement of Christmas.

“You say that my communications as Governor must be neutral on matters of religion,” Sanders wrote.

“I say that, even if I wanted to do that, it would be impossible. Christmas is not simply an ‘end-of-the-year holiday’ with ‘broadly observed secular cultural aspects,’ as your letter states. 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.”

Sanders wrote that she found it ironic that she received the foundation’s letter which claimed that she was “alienating” non-Christian constituents as she left a Menorah lighting celebration with people from all across Arkansas.

“I doubt they would say that my administration alienates non-Christians,” Sanders wrote. “In fact, many would say the opposite: that only by voicing our own faith and celebrating other faiths can we make our state’s diverse religious communities feel seen and heard.”

Sanders ended the letter by saying her proclamation wasn’t about pushing Christian doctrine on people but to celebrate the humble beginnings of Jesus Christ.

“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,” the letter concluded.

Michael R. Wickline

mwickline@adgnewsroom.com

Mike Wickline covers state politics, and he has covered the state Legislature for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since November 2000. He previously spent several years covering the Idaho Legislature for the Lewiston Morning Tribune.

Bob Robinson

Bob Robinson is a born and raised Arkansan. From childhood to the present day, he enjoys all the outdoor activities that make this The Natural State. He has authored several bicycle touring books: “Bicycle Guide to the Mississippi River Trail,” “Bicycling Guide to Lake Michigan Trail,” and “Bicycling Guide to Route 66.” He is a freelance writer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, covering outdoor recreation across Arkansas.