🔗 Share this article Political Nativity Displays at US Places of Worship Push Back on ICE Throughout the US, satirical holiday displays are on display that critique aggressive government immigration crackdowns. These scenes retell the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his family, Mary and Joseph, as figures affected by the actions of immigration authorities. An Evocative Interpretation in Evanston One powerful installation at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ lying in a manger amidst snow. However, the doll is wrapped in the kind of emergency blankets frequently given to detainees and has its wrists bound with plastic restraints. Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary is positioned outside the building, equipped with a gas mask. This item has been adopted by protesters seeking protection from tear gas. She is flanked by representations of ancient soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.” An Absent Holy Family At another Windy City church, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard display featuring animals and wise men. In their place, a sign bears a direct message: “Because of enforcement actions in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.” “The holiday season is a period when we have displays out on the lawn and we get an chance to make a statement,” said a church leader involved with one of the installations. Messages Spread Nationwide These artistic statements reflect the visible part taken by faith leaders in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable socially conscious exhibits have appeared in multiple states. In Massachusetts, a church removed the small statue of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that stated: “ICE was here.” Church officials are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from various religious and government officials. Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis According to those behind these scenes, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a contemporary political context helps bring attention to current administrative priorities. They argue that the family's status as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and experiences of numerous households today, including being torn apart and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones. This is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. Previously, installations have addressed issues ranging from conflict to the climate crisis. Encountering Criticism and Enduring Storms The statements are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved commented that some detractors either misinterpret the intent or “find it really challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the display rather than considering what the true meaning is.” In a literal way, the weather have also affected one display. At another church, the figure of St. Joseph was knocked over in a storm and could not be restored. A replacement sign now marks the spot, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”
Throughout the US, satirical holiday displays are on display that critique aggressive government immigration crackdowns. These scenes retell the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his family, Mary and Joseph, as figures affected by the actions of immigration authorities. An Evocative Interpretation in Evanston One powerful installation at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ lying in a manger amidst snow. However, the doll is wrapped in the kind of emergency blankets frequently given to detainees and has its wrists bound with plastic restraints. Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary is positioned outside the building, equipped with a gas mask. This item has been adopted by protesters seeking protection from tear gas. She is flanked by representations of ancient soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.” An Absent Holy Family At another Windy City church, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard display featuring animals and wise men. In their place, a sign bears a direct message: “Because of enforcement actions in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.” “The holiday season is a period when we have displays out on the lawn and we get an chance to make a statement,” said a church leader involved with one of the installations. Messages Spread Nationwide These artistic statements reflect the visible part taken by faith leaders in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable socially conscious exhibits have appeared in multiple states. In Massachusetts, a church removed the small statue of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that stated: “ICE was here.” Church officials are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from various religious and government officials. Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis According to those behind these scenes, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a contemporary political context helps bring attention to current administrative priorities. They argue that the family's status as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and experiences of numerous households today, including being torn apart and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones. This is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. Previously, installations have addressed issues ranging from conflict to the climate crisis. Encountering Criticism and Enduring Storms The statements are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved commented that some detractors either misinterpret the intent or “find it really challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the display rather than considering what the true meaning is.” In a literal way, the weather have also affected one display. At another church, the figure of St. Joseph was knocked over in a storm and could not be restored. A replacement sign now marks the spot, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”