Satirical Christmas Scenes at US Churches Push Back on Immigration Enforcement
Throughout the United States, satirical holiday displays have appeared that comment on hardline government immigration crackdowns. These scenes reimagine the classic Christmas story, depicting the infant Christ and his parents, Mary and Joseph, as figures caught up in the tactics of enforcement agents.
An Evocative Retelling in Evanston
One powerful display at a congregation in Evanston, Illinois features the infant Christ lying in a crib out in the snow. However, the doll is wrapped in the kind of thin, foil thermal blankets often distributed to detainees and has its wrists bound with zip-ties.
Close by, the statue of Mary is positioned just outside the church, equipped with a respirator. This item has been adopted by protesters attempting protection from chemical agents. She is flanked by representations of Roman soldiers, however in this scene they are dressed in body armor labeled with the acronym “ICE.”
‘The Holy Family is in Hiding’
At a different Windy City church, the customary models of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are nowhere to be seen from the standard display with camels and donkeys and wise men. Instead, a placard carries a direct statement: “Because of enforcement actions in our neighborhood the Holy Family is in hiding.”
“Christmas is a time when we have displays in front of the church and we get an opportunity to say something,” remarked a church leader behind one of the installations.
Statements Echo Nationwide
These artistic statements reflect the prominent role taken by religious communities in ongoing protests against federal policies. Comparable political displays have been erected in multiple states.
In Massachusetts, a parish removed the tiny figure of the baby Jesus from its nativity scene. In its spot was a hand-painted notice that read: “Immigration authorities were here.” The parish are said to have remained firm in the face of criticism from both religious and government officials.
Linking Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis
For those behind these scenes, framing the age-old story of Christ’s birth within a modern sociopolitical context helps bring attention to current government priorities. They contend that the family's status as displaced persons parallels the actual fears and experiences of many families today, including being torn apart and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones.
This is not the initial instance churches have used nativity scenes for political protest. Previously, displays have addressed topics ranging from war to the climate crisis.
Facing Pushback and Weathering the Elements
The messages are not always widely accepted. A church minister participating commented that some detractors either do not fully understand the intent or “consider it really challenging to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the display rather than considering what the true meaning is.”
In a literal way, the weather have also affected one display. At a separate church, the statue of Joseph was knocked over in a storm and could not be restored. A substitute notice now marks the space, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We hold this space to honor and remember all the those affected of enforcement terror.”
