Political Christmas Scenes at American Places of Worship Offer Commentary on Immigration Enforcement

Throughout the US, Christmas exhibits are on display that critique hardline government immigration enforcement crackdowns. These scenes retell the traditional Christmas story, depicting the newborn Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as figures caught up in the actions of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Interpretation in a Chicago Suburb

One powerful installation at a church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston features baby Jesus lying in a manger amidst snow. Yet, the doll is covered by the kind of thin, foil thermal blankets frequently distributed to those in custody and has its wrists secured by plastic restraints.

Nearby, the figure of the Virgin Mary is positioned just outside the church, 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 display they are wearing tactical vests marked with the acronym “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At a different Windy City church, the usual models of the holy family are conspicuously absent from the standard nativity scene featuring animals and wise men. In their place, a placard bears a simple statement: “Due to ICE activity in our neighborhood the holy family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a period when we have public art in front of the church and we get an chance to say something,” said a church leader involved with one of the displays.

Messages Echo Across the Country

These artistic statements reflect the prominent part taken by religious communities in recent demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable political displays have been erected in other states.

In Massachusetts, a church took away the tiny figure of Christ from its nativity scene. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish reportedly remained firm in the face of complaints from both religious and agency officials.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

According to those behind these scenes, presenting the ancient story of the nativity within a contemporary sociopolitical context helps bring focus to current administrative priorities. They contend that the holy family’s experience as displaced persons parallels the actual anxieties and experiences of many families today, including family separation and the deportation of breadwinning family members.

It is not the initial instance churches have employed nativity scenes for political protest. In previous years, installations have highlighted topics ranging from war to the environmental emergency.

Facing Pushback and Weathering the Elements

The messages are not always widely accepted. A clergy member involved commented that some critics either misinterpret the intent or “find it very challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the art rather than considering what the true message is.”

In a physical sense, the elements have also impacted one display. At another church, the statue of St. Joseph was knocked over in a windstorm and was unable to be restored. A substitute notice now marks the space, stating: “Joseph didn’t make it. We hold this space to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement terror.”