Provocative Christmas Displays at American Churches Offer Commentary on Immigration Enforcement

Throughout the United States, Christmas displays are on display that mock aggressive federal immigration enforcement policies. These scenes retell the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Jesus and his parents, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the tactics of enforcement agents.

A Stark Interpretation in a Chicago Suburb

One powerful display at a church in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ placed within a crib amidst snow. Yet, the doll is covered by the kind of emergency blankets frequently distributed to detainees and has its wrists secured by zip-ties.

Nearby, the figure of Mary is positioned outside the church, equipped with a respirator. This item has been adopted by protesters attempting protection from tear gas. Beside her are figures of Roman soldiers, however in this display they are dressed in tactical vests labeled with the letters “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At a different Chicago place of worship, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the traditional nativity scene with animals and Magi. In their place, a placard bears a direct statement: “Because of enforcement actions in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in seclusion.”

“The holiday season is a time when we have displays 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 Nationwide

These artistic statements are extensions of the visible role played by faith leaders in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable socially conscious displays have been erected in multiple states.

In Massachusetts, a parish took away the tiny figure of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish reportedly stood defiant in the face of complaints from various religious and government leadership.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

According to those behind these scenes, presenting the age-old tale of the nativity within a modern political context draws focus to current government priorities. They argue that the family's status as refugees parallels the real fears and realities of many families today, encompassing family separation and the removal of breadwinning family members.

This is not the initial instance churches have used nativity scenes for social commentary. In previous years, displays have addressed topics ranging from conflict to the environmental emergency.

Facing Pushback and Weathering the Elements

The statements are not always widely accepted. A clergy member participating noted that some critics either do not fully understand the intent or “consider it very difficult to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the display rather than engaging with what the actual message is.”

In a physical sense, the elements have also affected one scene. At another church, the figure of Joseph was blown down in a storm and could not be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the spot, stating: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the victims of enforcement terror.”