Political Nativity Scenes at US Churches Push Back on ICE
Throughout the US, Christmas exhibits have appeared that mock hardline federal immigration crackdowns. These installations reimagine the traditional Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his parents, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.
An Evocative Interpretation in Evanston
One powerful installation at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ placed within a crib amidst snow. Yet, the figure is wrapped in the type of emergency blankets frequently distributed to detainees and has its wrists bound with zip-ties.
Nearby, the statue of Mary is positioned just outside the church, equipped with a gas mask. Such gear has been adopted by protesters seeking to guard against tear gas. Beside her are figures of Roman soldiers, however in this display they are wearing body armor marked with the acronym “ICE.”
An Absent Holy Family
At another Chicago place of worship, the customary figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard display with camels and donkeys and wise men. In their place, a placard bears a simple statement: “Due to enforcement actions in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.”
“The holiday season is a period when we have displays in front of the church and we get an chance to say something,” said a church leader behind one of the displays.
Messages Spread Nationwide
These visual protests reflect the visible role played by religious communities in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable political displays have been erected in other states.
In Massachusetts, a church removed the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its creche. Left behind was a handmade notice that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” Church officials are said to have stood defiant despite complaints from various religious and agency leadership.
Linking Ancient Story and Modern Crisis
For the creators of these scenes, framing the age-old tale of Christ’s birth within a contemporary political frame helps bring attention to current government agendas. They contend that the holy family’s status as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and experiences of many households today, including family separation and the deportation of working loved ones.
It is not the first time churches have used Christmas displays for political protest. Previously, displays have addressed issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency.
Encountering Pushback and Weathering Storms
The messages are not always universally welcomed. A church minister involved noted that some critics either misinterpret the message or “consider it really difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than engaging with what the true message is.”
In a literal sense, the elements have also impacted one display. At a separate church, the statue of St. Joseph was knocked over in a windstorm and was unable to be repaired. A replacement sign now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to honor and remember all the victims of immigration enforcement terror.”
