Provocative Nativity Scenes at US Places of Worship Push Back on Immigration Enforcement
Throughout the US, satirical holiday exhibits have appeared that critique aggressive federal immigration enforcement crackdowns. These installations reimagine the traditional Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his family, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.
An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb
One striking display at a church in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ lying in a crib out in the snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the type of thin, foil blankets often given to those in custody and has its wrists secured by plastic restraints.
Nearby, the figure of Mary stands just outside the building, equipped with a respirator. Such gear has been used by protesters attempting protection from chemical agents. She is flanked by representations of ancient soldiers, however in this display they are dressed in body armor marked with the acronym “ICE.”
‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’
At another Windy City place of worship, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard display with animals and Magi. In their place, a sign carries a direct statement: “Due to ICE activity in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.”
“The holiday season is a time when we have displays in front of the church and we get an chance to say something,” remarked a church leader involved with one of the installations.
Statements Spread Across the Country
These visual protests are extensions of the visible part taken by religious communities in recent protests against federal policies. Similar political displays have appeared in other states.
In Massachusetts, a parish took away the small statue of Christ from its nativity scene. In its spot was a handmade sign that read: “ICE was here.” Church officials are said to have stood defiant despite criticism from both religious and government leadership.
Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis
For the creators of these scenes, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a modern political context helps bring attention to current administrative priorities. They argue that the family's experience as refugees mirrors the actual anxieties and experiences of many families today, encompassing family separation and the deportation of working loved ones.
It is not the initial instance churches have employed nativity scenes for social commentary. Previously, displays have addressed issues ranging from war to the climate crisis.
Facing Pushback and Weathering the Elements
The statements are not always widely accepted. A church minister involved commented that some detractors either misinterpret the message or “find it very difficult to their conscience and are lashing out at the art rather than considering what the true meaning is.”
In a physical way, the elements have also affected one display. At another church, the statue of Joseph was knocked over in a windstorm and could not be repaired. A replacement sign now occupies the spot, stating: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to honor and remember all the victims of enforcement actions.”
