Full Breakdown
Maryland and Arkansas Declare State Holidays for Christmas
12/22/2025, 9:50:33 PM
Overview of State Holiday Declarations
In December 2023, both Maryland and Arkansas announced state holidays in observance of Christmas, reflecting a commitment to provide state employees with additional time for family during the holiday season. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared December 24, Christmas Eve, as a state holiday, with state offices also closed on December 25 for Christmas Day. Furthermore, liberal leave will be in effect for state employees on December 26. Governor Moore expressed that this declaration is a gesture of gratitude towards public servants, encouraging Marylanders to cherish time with loved ones.
In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders proclaimed December 26 as a state holiday, allowing state employees to celebrate Christmas and spend time with their families. This decision, however, faced scrutiny from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which argued that the proclamation violated the separation of church and state. In her response, Sanders firmly rejected the demand to reverse the closure, emphasizing the religious significance of Christmas and asserting that her communications as Governor cannot be neutral on matters of religion.
Local Government Responses
Baxter County in Arkansas aligned with the state holiday by closing county offices on December 26, following the governor's proclamation and a federal holiday designation. Baxter County Judge Kevin Litty stated that this closure aims to provide county employees with additional family time during the Christmas holiday.
Criticism and Opposition
The FFRF's letter to Governor Sanders highlighted concerns regarding the constitutionality of the Christmas closure, claiming it promotes a specific religious viewpoint in violation of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. Sanders countered this by stating that the proclamation was not intended to impose religious doctrine but rather to honor the humility of Christ’s birth. This exchange illustrates the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of government actions and religious observance.
Broader Implications
These holiday declarations come amidst a backdrop of political and social discussions about the role of religion in public life. The contrasting responses from Maryland and Arkansas governors reflect differing approaches to state holidays and the influence of religious sentiment in political discourse. As states navigate these issues, the implications of such decisions may resonate beyond the holiday season, influencing future policies and community relations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Declaring Christmas Eve as a State holiday is a small way to show our gratitude to Maryland’s dedicated public servants,” — Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland
- “will do no such thing.” — Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas
- “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.” — Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas
Conclusion
The declarations by Maryland and Arkansas governors to close state offices for Christmas reflect a commitment to family time during the holiday season, while also igniting discussions about the role of religion in government. As these states proceed with their holiday observances, the responses from various stakeholders will continue to shape the narrative surrounding public holidays and their implications in a diverse society.
