A photo of 2016 Republican presidential contender Ben Carson holding a "Merry Christmas" sign went viral Friday evening on Facebook.

Carson's post had amassed more than 450,000 "likes" and nearly 32,000 shares at the time of publication. It had been posted for approximately six hours.

"Not afraid to say Merry Christmas!" the retired neurosurgeon declared in the caption.

Image source: Facebook

Carson, who boasts more than 5 million Facebook likes, has used his sizable social platform to share other pro-Christian messages. After reports the Roseburg, Oregon, shooting victims had been targeted for their faith, Carson posted a photo holding an "I am a Christian" sign.

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