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

Across the US, Christmas displays have appeared that comment on hardline government immigration enforcement policies. These scenes reimagine the traditional Christmas story, portraying the infant Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as figures affected by the actions of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Interpretation in Evanston

One striking display at a church in Evanston, Illinois shows baby Jesus placed within a manger amidst snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the kind of thin, foil blankets frequently distributed to detainees and has its wrists bound with plastic restraints.

Close by, the statue of the Virgin Mary is positioned just 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, but in this display they are dressed in tactical vests marked with the letters “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At another Chicago church, the customary figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the traditional nativity scene with animals and wise men. In their place, a sign carries a simple statement: “Because of ICE activity in our community the holy family is in seclusion.”

“Christmas is a period when we have displays out on the lawn and we get an chance to make a statement,” said a church leader behind one of the displays.

Messages Echo Across the Country

These visual protests reflect the prominent role taken by religious communities in ongoing protests against immigration enforcement. Comparable socially conscious exhibits have been erected in multiple states.

In one New England state, a church removed the tiny figure of Christ from its nativity scene. Left behind was a handmade sign that stated: “ICE was here.” Church officials reportedly remained firm despite complaints from various religious and government leadership.

Linking Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

For the creators of these displays, framing the age-old story of the nativity within a modern sociopolitical context helps bring attention to current administrative priorities. They argue that the family's status as refugees mirrors the actual fears and realities of numerous families today, encompassing family separation and the deportation of working loved ones.

It is not the initial instance congregations have used nativity scenes for political protest. Previously, displays have addressed issues ranging from conflict to the climate crisis.

Encountering Pushback and Weathering the Elements

The statements are not always widely accepted. A clergy member participating noted that some detractors either do not fully understand the message or “consider it very difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than considering what the actual meaning is.”

In a literal way, the weather have also affected one scene. At a separate church, the statue of St. Joseph was blown down in a storm and was unable to be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the spot, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to memorialize all the victims of enforcement terror.”