Political Nativity Displays at American Places of Worship Offer Commentary on ICE
Throughout the United States, satirical holiday exhibits are on display that comment on aggressive federal immigration crackdowns. These installations retell the classic nativity story, depicting the newborn Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph, as figures affected by the tactics of enforcement agents.
An Evocative Retelling in Evanston
One powerful display at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois shows baby Jesus lying in a crib out in the snow. However, the figure is wrapped in the type of emergency blankets often given to detainees and has its wrists secured by zip-ties.
Nearby, the statue of the Virgin Mary stands just outside the church, wearing a gas mask. This item has been adopted by protesters attempting to guard against chemical agents. Beside her are figures of ancient soldiers, but in this scene they are dressed in body armor marked with the acronym “ICE.”
‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’
At another Windy City church, the customary models of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard nativity scene featuring animals and wise men. Instead, a placard carries a simple message: “Because of enforcement actions in our neighborhood the holy family is in hiding.”
“Christmas is a period when we have displays in front of the church and we get an opportunity to make a statement,” said a church leader behind one of the installations.
Messages Spread Nationwide
These artistic statements reflect the visible part played by religious communities in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Similar socially conscious exhibits have been erected in other states.
In one New England state, a parish took away the small statue of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. In its spot was a hand-painted sign that read: “ICE was here.” The parish reportedly remained firm in the face of criticism from various diocesan and government leadership.
Linking Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis
According to those behind these displays, framing the age-old tale of the nativity within a modern political context draws focus to current administrative priorities. They argue that the family's status as displaced persons parallels the real anxieties and realities of numerous families today, encompassing family separation and the deportation of breadwinning family members.
It is not the initial instance congregations have used Christmas displays for social commentary. In previous years, installations have addressed topics ranging from war to the environmental emergency.
Encountering Criticism and Enduring Storms
The messages are not always widely accepted. A church minister participating noted that some critics either do not fully understand the message or “find it very challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than engaging with what the true message is.”
In a physical way, the weather have also affected one scene. At another location, the figure of Joseph was knocked over in a storm and was unable to be repaired. A replacement sign now occupies the space, declaring: “Joseph didn’t make it. We hold this space to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement actions.”
