Provocative Nativity Scenes at American Churches Push Back on ICE

Throughout the United States, satirical holiday displays have appeared that critique hardline federal immigration crackdowns. These scenes retell the classic nativity story, depicting the infant Jesus and his parents, Joseph and Mary, as figures affected by the tactics of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Interpretation in Evanston

One powerful display at a church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston features the infant Christ lying in a manger amidst snow. Yet, the doll is covered by the kind of emergency thermal blankets often distributed to those in custody and has its hands bound with plastic restraints.

Close by, the figure of Mary is positioned outside the building, equipped with a gas mask. This item has been adopted by activists attempting protection from tear gas. Beside her are figures of Roman soldiers, but in this scene they are wearing tactical vests marked with the letters “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At a different Windy City church, the customary figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the traditional display with animals and Magi. In their place, a sign bears a direct message: “Because of enforcement actions in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a period where we have displays out on the lawn and we get an chance to make a statement,” remarked a senior minister behind one of the installations.

Statements Echo Across the Country

These visual protests reflect the visible part played by religious communities in ongoing demonstrations against federal policies. Similar socially conscious displays have been erected in other states.

In one New England state, a church took away the small statue of Christ from its nativity scene. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that read: “ICE was here.” The parish are said to have remained firm in the face of complaints from both religious and government officials.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

For those behind these scenes, presenting the ancient tale of Christ’s birth within a modern sociopolitical context draws attention to ongoing government priorities. They argue that the holy family’s experience as displaced persons parallels the real anxieties and realities of numerous households today, including family separation and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones.

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

Facing Criticism and Enduring Storms

The messages are not always universally welcomed. A church minister involved noted that some detractors either do not fully understand the message or “find it very difficult to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the display rather than engaging with what the true meaning is.”

In a literal way, the weather have also impacted one scene. At another church, the statue of Joseph was knocked over in a windstorm and was unable to be restored. A replacement sign now marks the spot, stating: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”