About 2016 years ago, Mary and Joseph were turned away from a Bethlehem inn because it was booked, which forced the couple to give birth to their son, Jesus Christ, in a barn.

Officials in Bethlehem, New York seem to be giving Jesus the same treatment this year when they opted to do away with a donated banner that wished residents a Merry Christmas as they passed through the town’s Four Corners intersection, the Albany Times Union reports.

Local resident Elena Marcelle donated the sign to the town of Bethlehem several years ago, but when she noticed it didn’t go up with other Christmas decorations this year, she called to inquire why.

“The highway superintendent told her the sign was thrown out because it was in disrepair. Marcelle offered to buy a new one and was told no thanks,” according to the news site. “When she pressed for a reason, Marcelle received an email from the town’s lawyer, who said the display of holiday imagery on town property raises issues about the separation of church and state.”

Bethlehem attorney James Potter told Marcelle the law is clear that nativity scenes, Christmas trees and other decorations do not constitute a state endorsement of religion, but a Merry Christmas sign could somehow send the wrong message.

“Moreover, there is limited space at the Four Corners, and adding signage could potentially be visually distracting to motorists,” Potter wrote in the email. “The town cannot endorse one religion over another, so the town must either allow signs for all groups participating in the holiday display, or prohibit signs altogether.”

Officials opted for the latter, and also took down a “Happy Hanukkah” sign, as well.

The situation prompted residents to contact the Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based nonprofit law firm that advocates for religious liberty. The ADF sent a letter to Bethlehem officials last week explaining exactly why their interpretation of the law on Christmas signs is dead wrong, according to Christian Today.

“The irony is not lost on us that your town’s name is Bethlehem,” Alliance attorney Joseph E. La Rue wrote.

“No one should fear that saying ‘Merry Christmas’ on a sign like this will violate the Constitution. It does not,” La Rue continued. “The courts, all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, have been clear that the government can erect Christmas signs and displays, including even Nativity scenes, without having to fear a constitutional violation.”

Town supervisor John Clarkson told the Times Union he’s not interested in testing the limits of the law, however, and officials plan to avoid any controversy by simply banning all Bethlehem-sponsored holiday signs for all religions.

“That way, we can avoid contentious litigation or having the town thrust into controversy over whose sign shall be placed where,” Clarkson said.

Regardless, Marcelle purchased a new Merry Christmas sign for Bethlehem this year in hopes local officials will change their mind.

The ADF noted numerous taxpayer funded religious displays throughout the nation – religious art at the National Gallery, “In God We Trust” as the nation’s motto, Christmas as a national holiday, and a U.S. Supreme Court decorated with Moses and the Ten Commandments – as evidence that local leaders are unnecessarily banning Jesus from his own birthday party, WDN reports.

“Christians believe that, in the Bethlehem of old, there was no room in the inn for the Christ child,” ADF wrote to town officials. “We hope that Bethlehem, New York, will make room for a sign to wish those who drive by the Four Corners a ‘Merry Christmas’ in recognition of the importance of this holiday to many of Bethlehem’s people.”