Political Christmas Displays at US Places of Worship Push Back on ICE

Throughout the US, satirical holiday displays are on display that critique aggressive government immigration crackdowns. These installations retell the traditional Christmas story, depicting the infant Christ and his family, Joseph and Mary, as victims caught up in the actions of enforcement agents.

An Evocative Interpretation in Evanston

One powerful display at a church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston shows baby Jesus placed within a manger amidst snow. Yet, the doll is wrapped in the type of thin, foil blankets often given to detainees and has its hands bound with zip-ties.

Close by, the figure of Mary stands outside the church, wearing a respirator. Such gear has been adopted by activists attempting to guard against tear gas. Beside her are 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 another Chicago church, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are conspicuously absent from the standard display with camels and donkeys and Magi. Instead, a placard carries a simple statement: “Due to enforcement actions in our community the Holy Family is in hiding.”

“The holiday season is a time where we have public art out on the lawn and we get an opportunity to make a statement,” remarked a church leader involved with one of the installations.

Statements Spread Across the Country

These visual protests reflect the visible part taken by religious communities in ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement. Comparable political exhibits have appeared in other states.

In one New England state, a church removed the small statue of the baby Jesus from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that stated: “ICE was here.” Church officials are said to have stood defiant in the face of complaints from various religious and agency leadership.

Connecting Ancient Story and Contemporary Issue

For the creators of these scenes, presenting the age-old tale of the nativity within a contemporary political context helps bring focus to ongoing government agendas. They argue that the holy family’s experience as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and realities of many households today, encompassing being torn apart and the removal of working family members.

It is not the first time churches have used Christmas displays for political protest. In previous years, installations have highlighted topics ranging from conflict to the climate crisis.

Facing Criticism and Weathering the Elements

The statements are not always widely accepted. A church minister participating noted that some critics either do not fully understand the intent or “find it really challenging to their sense of right and wrong and are reacting negatively at the display rather than engaging with what the actual message is.”

In a physical sense, the weather have also affected one display. At another church, the statue of St. Joseph was blown down in a windstorm and was unable to be repaired. A substitute notice now marks the spot, stating: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to memorialize all the victims of immigration enforcement terror.”