🔗 Share this article Provocative Christmas Scenes at American Churches Push Back on Immigration Enforcement Across the United States, Christmas exhibits have appeared that critique aggressive government immigration enforcement crackdowns. These installations reimagine the classic nativity story, portraying the infant Christ and his family, Mary and Joseph, as victims affected by the tactics of immigration authorities. An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb One striking display at a church in Evanston, Illinois features the infant Christ placed within a manger amidst snow. However, the doll is covered by the type of thin, foil blankets often distributed to detainees and has its wrists secured by plastic restraints. Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary stands just outside the building, equipped with a gas mask. Such gear has been used by activists attempting to guard against chemical agents. She is flanked by representations of Roman soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in tactical vests labeled with the acronym “ICE.” An Absent Holy Family At a different Chicago place of worship, the customary figures of the holy family are nowhere to be seen from the standard nativity scene with animals and wise men. In their place, a sign bears a direct statement: “Due to ICE activity in our community the Holy Family is in seclusion.” “The holiday season is a time where we have public art in front of the church and we get an opportunity to say something,” said a senior minister behind one of the displays. Messages Spread Nationwide These visual protests reflect the prominent part played by religious communities in recent protests against immigration enforcement. Similar socially conscious exhibits have appeared in other states. In one New England state, a church took away the small statue of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish are said to have stood defiant despite criticism from both diocesan and agency officials. Connecting Biblical Narrative and Contemporary Issue According to the creators of these scenes, framing the ancient tale of the nativity within a contemporary sociopolitical context helps bring focus to ongoing administrative priorities. They argue that the holy family’s status as refugees mirrors the real fears and realities of many families today, encompassing family separation and the removal of breadwinning family members. This is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. Previously, installations have addressed topics ranging from war to the environmental emergency. Encountering Pushback and Weathering Storms The messages are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved commented that some critics either misinterpret the message 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 message is.” In a literal sense, the elements have also affected one scene. At another church, the statue of Joseph was knocked over in a storm and could not be restored. A replacement sign now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”
Across the United States, Christmas exhibits have appeared that critique aggressive government immigration enforcement crackdowns. These installations reimagine the classic nativity story, portraying the infant Christ and his family, Mary and Joseph, as victims affected by the tactics of immigration authorities. An Evocative Retelling in a Chicago Suburb One striking display at a church in Evanston, Illinois features the infant Christ placed within a manger amidst snow. However, the doll is covered by the type of thin, foil blankets often distributed to detainees and has its wrists secured by plastic restraints. Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary stands just outside the building, equipped with a gas mask. Such gear has been used by activists attempting to guard against chemical agents. She is flanked by representations of Roman soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in tactical vests labeled with the acronym “ICE.” An Absent Holy Family At a different Chicago place of worship, the customary figures of the holy family are nowhere to be seen from the standard nativity scene with animals and wise men. In their place, a sign bears a direct statement: “Due to ICE activity in our community the Holy Family is in seclusion.” “The holiday season is a time where we have public art in front of the church and we get an opportunity to say something,” said a senior minister behind one of the displays. Messages Spread Nationwide These visual protests reflect the prominent part played by religious communities in recent protests against immigration enforcement. Similar socially conscious exhibits have appeared in other states. In one New England state, a church took away the small statue of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish are said to have stood defiant despite criticism from both diocesan and agency officials. Connecting Biblical Narrative and Contemporary Issue According to the creators of these scenes, framing the ancient tale of the nativity within a contemporary sociopolitical context helps bring focus to ongoing administrative priorities. They argue that the holy family’s status as refugees mirrors the real fears and realities of many families today, encompassing family separation and the removal of breadwinning family members. This is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. Previously, installations have addressed topics ranging from war to the environmental emergency. Encountering Pushback and Weathering Storms The messages are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved commented that some critics either misinterpret the message 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 message is.” In a literal sense, the elements have also affected one scene. At another church, the statue of Joseph was knocked over in a storm and could not be restored. A replacement sign now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”