Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has formally declared that state offices will be closed on Friday, December 26, 2025, giving state employees an additional day to spend with their families in observance of Christmas. The announcement came through a formal proclamation issued on December 16, which also reflects deeply on the religious significance of the Christmas holiday.
In her proclamation, Governor Sanders emphasized the spiritual foundation of the celebration, stating that “More than two millennia ago in the little town of Bethlehem, far from the centers of power in first-century Rome, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born in a humble manger.” The document goes on to outline the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, portraying Him as the Messiah and highlighting His mission to serve the “poor, powerless, and meek.”
The governor recognized that “Christ’s arrival was unassuming,” witnessed only by “Mary and Joseph, humble shepherds guided by angels, and three wise men from the East.” In honoring this sacred moment in Christian belief, Sanders proclaimed December 25, 2025, as “CHRISTMAS DAY” across the State of Arkansas.
Beyond the religious message, the decision carries practical implications for thousands of state workers. By closing state government offices an extra day, employees will be afforded a long weekend to “spend this holiday with their families giving thanks for Christ’s birth,” the governor said.
While December 25 is already recognized as a national holiday, the extra closure on December 26 offers additional time for Arkansans to travel, celebrate, and reflect on the meaning of the season without the pressure of returning to work immediately after the holiday.
This move by Governor Sanders echoes similar holiday closures announced in past years but stands out for its explicit emphasis on the Christian narrative behind Christmas. It also continues her administration’s tradition of publicly acknowledging faith-based values during significant cultural and religious events.
