Satirical Christmas Scenes at US Places of Worship Push Back on ICE

Across the United States, satirical holiday displays are on display that comment on hardline government immigration enforcement crackdowns. These installations retell the classic nativity story, portraying the infant Christ and his parents, Mary and Joseph, as victims caught up in the actions of immigration authorities.

An Evocative Interpretation in a Chicago Suburb

One striking installation at a church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston shows baby Jesus lying in a manger amidst snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the kind of emergency blankets often distributed to those in custody and has its wrists secured by zip-ties.

Close by, the figure of the Virgin Mary is positioned just outside the building, equipped with a gas mask. This item has been used by activists seeking to guard against chemical agents. Beside her are figures of ancient soldiers, however in this scene they are wearing tactical vests marked with the letters “ICE.”

‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’

At another Windy City church, the customary models of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are conspicuously absent from the standard display featuring camels and donkeys and wise men. In their place, a sign carries a simple statement: “Due to enforcement actions in our community the holy family is in seclusion.”

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

Messages Echo Across the Country

These artistic statements are extensions of the prominent part taken by faith leaders in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Similar socially conscious exhibits have been erected in multiple states.

In one New England state, a parish removed the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted notice that stated: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish reportedly stood defiant in the face of criticism from various religious and government leadership.

Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis

According to the creators of these displays, presenting the ancient story of Christ’s birth within a contemporary sociopolitical context draws attention to current administrative agendas. They argue that the family's status as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and experiences of numerous families today, including family separation and the deportation of breadwinning family members.

This is not the initial instance churches have employed nativity scenes for social commentary. Previously, displays have highlighted issues ranging from conflict to the climate crisis.

Encountering Criticism and Weathering the Elements

The statements are not always widely accepted. A church minister participating noted that some critics either misinterpret the message or “consider it really difficult to their sense of right and wrong and are lashing out at the display rather than engaging with what the actual message is.”

In a literal way, the elements have also impacted one scene. At another church, the statue of St. Joseph was blown down in a storm and could not be restored. A replacement sign now occupies the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to memorialize all the victims of enforcement terror.”