Provocative Christmas Displays at American Churches Offer Commentary on Immigration Enforcement

Throughout the United States, Christmas exhibits are on display that comment on hardline government immigration policies. These installations reimagine the traditional nativity story, portraying the infant Jesus and his family, Mary and Joseph, as figures caught up in the tactics of enforcement agents.

A Stark Retelling in Evanston

One powerful installation at a congregation in the Chicago suburb of Evanston shows the infant Christ placed within a crib out in the snow. Yet, the doll is covered by the kind of emergency thermal blankets often distributed to detainees and has its hands secured by plastic restraints.

Close by, the figure of Mary stands just outside the church, wearing a respirator. Such gear has been used by protesters seeking protection from tear gas. Beside her are representations of Roman soldiers, but in this scene they are wearing body armor labeled with the letters “ICE.”

An Absent Holy Family

At a different Chicago church, the customary models of the holy family are conspicuously absent from the traditional display featuring camels and donkeys and Magi. Instead, a placard bears a direct message: “Because of enforcement actions in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.”

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

Messages Echo Nationwide

These visual protests reflect the prominent part played by religious communities in ongoing demonstrations against federal policies. Comparable political displays have been erected in other states.

In Massachusetts, a parish removed the small statue of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a handmade sign that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” Church officials are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from both diocesan and government officials.

Connecting Ancient Story and Contemporary Issue

According to the creators of these scenes, framing the age-old tale of the nativity within a modern sociopolitical context helps bring focus to ongoing administrative agendas. They contend that the holy family’s experience as displaced persons mirrors the real fears and realities of many families today, including being torn apart and the deportation of working loved ones.

It is not the first time congregations have used nativity scenes for social commentary. In previous years, installations have addressed topics ranging from conflict to the environmental emergency.

Facing Pushback and Weathering Storms

The statements are not always universally welcomed. A church minister participating commented that some critics either misinterpret the intent or “find it really difficult 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 sense, the weather have also affected one scene. At another church, the statue of St. Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and could not be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the spot, declaring: “Joseph didn’t make it. We hold this space to memorialize all the those affected of enforcement actions.”