🔗 Share this article Satirical Nativity Scenes at American Places of Worship Push Back on Immigration Enforcement Across the US, Christmas exhibits have appeared that critique hardline government immigration policies. These scenes reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as victims affected by the actions of enforcement agents. An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb One powerful display at a congregation in the Chicago suburb of Evanston shows the infant Christ placed within a manger out in the snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the type of thin, foil thermal blankets often distributed to those in custody and has its wrists secured by plastic restraints. Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary is positioned outside the building, equipped with a respirator. Such gear has been adopted by protesters seeking protection from tear gas. She is flanked by figures of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.” An Absent Holy Family At a different Windy City church, the customary models of the holy family are conspicuously absent from the traditional nativity scene featuring camels and donkeys and Magi. Instead, a sign bears a direct statement: “Due to ICE activity in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.” “Christmas is a time when we have public art 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 Across the Country These visual protests reflect the prominent role taken by faith leaders in ongoing protests against federal policies. Similar socially conscious displays have been erected in multiple states. In one New England state, a church took away the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. In its spot was a hand-painted sign that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” Church officials are said to have stood defiant in the face of criticism from various diocesan and agency officials. Connecting Ancient Story and Modern Crisis For the creators of these displays, presenting the ancient tale of the nativity within a modern sociopolitical frame draws focus to current administrative agendas. They contend that the holy family’s experience as refugees mirrors the actual 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 employed Christmas displays for social commentary. In previous years, installations have highlighted issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency. Facing Pushback and Weathering the Elements The messages are not always universally welcomed. A clergy member participating noted that some detractors either misinterpret the message or “find it very challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the art rather than engaging with what the actual message is.” In a literal way, the weather have also affected one scene. At another church, the statue of Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and was unable to be restored. A substitute notice now marks the space, stating: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”
Across the US, Christmas exhibits have appeared that critique hardline government immigration policies. These scenes reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as victims affected by the actions of enforcement agents. An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb One powerful display at a congregation in the Chicago suburb of Evanston shows the infant Christ placed within a manger out in the snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the type of thin, foil thermal blankets often distributed to those in custody and has its wrists secured by plastic restraints. Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary is positioned outside the building, equipped with a respirator. Such gear has been adopted by protesters seeking protection from tear gas. She is flanked by figures of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.” An Absent Holy Family At a different Windy City church, the customary models of the holy family are conspicuously absent from the traditional nativity scene featuring camels and donkeys and Magi. Instead, a sign bears a direct statement: “Due to ICE activity in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.” “Christmas is a time when we have public art 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 Across the Country These visual protests reflect the prominent role taken by faith leaders in ongoing protests against federal policies. Similar socially conscious displays have been erected in multiple states. In one New England state, a church took away the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. In its spot was a hand-painted sign that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” Church officials are said to have stood defiant in the face of criticism from various diocesan and agency officials. Connecting Ancient Story and Modern Crisis For the creators of these displays, presenting the ancient tale of the nativity within a modern sociopolitical frame draws focus to current administrative agendas. They contend that the holy family’s experience as refugees mirrors the actual 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 employed Christmas displays for social commentary. In previous years, installations have highlighted issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency. Facing Pushback and Weathering the Elements The messages are not always universally welcomed. A clergy member participating noted that some detractors either misinterpret the message or “find it very challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the art rather than engaging with what the actual message is.” In a literal way, the weather have also affected one scene. At another church, the statue of Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and was unable to be restored. A substitute notice now marks the space, stating: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”