Political Christmas Scenes at US Places of Worship Offer Commentary on ICE
Throughout the US, Christmas displays are on display that critique aggressive federal immigration enforcement crackdowns. These scenes reimagine the classic Christmas story, portraying the newborn Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as figures caught up in the tactics of immigration authorities.
An Evocative Retelling in Evanston
One striking installation at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois features baby Jesus lying in a manger amidst snow. Yet, the figure is covered by the kind of thin, foil blankets frequently distributed to those in custody and has its wrists bound with zip-ties.
Close by, the figure of the Virgin Mary stands just outside the church, wearing a gas mask. This item has been used by activists attempting protection from chemical agents. She is flanked by figures of Roman soldiers, but in this display they are dressed in tactical vests labeled with the letters “ICE.”
An Absent Holy Family
At another Chicago church, the customary figures of the holy family are nowhere to be seen from the traditional display with animals and Magi. Instead, a placard bears a direct message: “Due to enforcement actions in our community the holy family is in hiding.”
“The holiday season is a period where we have displays in front of the church and we get an opportunity to say something,” remarked a senior minister behind one of the installations.
Messages Echo Across the Country
These visual protests are extensions of the prominent role played by faith leaders in ongoing protests against federal policies. Comparable political displays have been erected in multiple states.
In Massachusetts, a parish took away the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its creche. In its spot was a handmade sign that read: “ICE was here.” The parish are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from various diocesan and government officials.
Connecting Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis
For those behind these displays, framing the age-old tale of the nativity within a contemporary sociopolitical context draws attention to current government agendas. They contend that the holy family’s experience as displaced persons parallels the real anxieties and experiences of numerous families today, encompassing being torn apart and the removal of working loved ones.
It is not the initial instance congregations have used Christmas displays for political protest. Previously, installations have addressed issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency.
Encountering Pushback and Enduring the Elements
The statements are not always universally welcomed. A church minister involved noted that some critics either do not fully understand the message or “find it really challenging to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the display rather than considering what the actual message is.”
In a literal sense, the weather have also affected one display. At another church, the figure of St. Joseph was knocked over in a windstorm and was unable to be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph didn’t make it. We hold this space to memorialize all the victims of enforcement actions.”
