Provocative Nativity Displays at American Places of Worship Offer Commentary on ICE

Throughout the US, Christmas displays have appeared that comment on aggressive federal immigration policies. These scenes retell the traditional Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph, as figures caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.

A Stark Retelling in Evanston

One powerful installation at a congregation in the Chicago suburb of Evanston features baby Jesus placed within a manger out in the snow. However, the doll is covered by the type of emergency blankets often distributed to those in custody and has its hands secured by plastic restraints.

Close by, the figure of Mary stands just outside the building, equipped with a respirator. This item has been adopted by protesters seeking protection from tear gas. She is flanked by representations of Roman soldiers, however in this display they are dressed in tactical vests labeled with the acronym “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At a different Windy City place of worship, the usual figures of the holy family are nowhere to be seen from the standard display featuring camels and donkeys and Magi. In their place, a placard bears a simple statement: “Because of enforcement actions in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.”

“Christmas is a period where we have displays in front of the church and we get an chance to say something,” said a church leader behind one of the installations.

Statements Echo Across the Country

These visual protests are extensions of the prominent part taken by faith leaders in recent demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable political displays have been erected in multiple states.

In Massachusetts, a church removed the small statue of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. In its spot was a hand-painted sign that read: “ICE was here.” Church officials are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from various religious and agency leadership.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Contemporary Issue

For the creators of these scenes, presenting the age-old story of Christ’s birth within a contemporary political context draws attention to current government agendas. They argue that the holy family’s experience as displaced persons parallels the real anxieties and realities of numerous families today, encompassing being torn apart and the removal of breadwinning family members.

It is not the initial instance churches have used Christmas displays for political protest. In previous years, displays have addressed issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency.

Facing Pushback and Weathering Storms

The messages are not always widely accepted. A clergy member participating noted that some detractors either misinterpret the intent or “find it really difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than engaging with what the true meaning is.”

In a physical way, the weather have also affected one scene. At a separate location, the statue of Joseph was knocked over in a windstorm and could not be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the victims of immigration enforcement terror.”