Political Christmas Displays at American Churches Offer Commentary on ICE
Throughout the US, Christmas displays have appeared that mock aggressive government immigration policies. These installations reimagine the classic Christmas story, portraying the infant Jesus and his family, Joseph and Mary, as figures caught up in the actions of immigration authorities.
A Stark Retelling in a Chicago Suburb
One powerful installation at a church in Evanston, Illinois shows the infant Christ lying in a crib out in the snow. However, the figure is wrapped in the type of thin, foil blankets frequently distributed to detainees and has its hands bound with plastic restraints.
Close by, the statue of Mary stands just outside the church, equipped with a respirator. This item has been adopted by protesters seeking to guard against tear gas. Beside her are figures of Roman soldiers, however in this display they are wearing body armor marked with the letters “ICE.”
An Absent Holy Family
At a different Chicago church, the usual figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are conspicuously absent from the standard display with animals and wise men. Instead, a placard carries a direct message: “Due to ICE activity in our community the holy family is in hiding.”
“Christmas is a period where we have displays out on the lawn and we get an chance to make a statement,” said a church leader behind one of the displays.
Messages Spread Nationwide
These artistic statements are extensions of the prominent part taken by faith leaders in ongoing demonstrations against federal policies. Similar political displays have been erected in multiple states.
In Massachusetts, a church removed the small statue of Christ from its creche. Left behind was a hand-painted sign that stated: “ICE was here.” The parish reportedly remained firm in the face of criticism from both diocesan and government officials.
Linking Biblical Narrative and Modern Crisis
For those behind these scenes, presenting the age-old tale of Christ’s birth within a contemporary sociopolitical context helps bring attention to current administrative agendas. They contend that the holy family’s experience as refugees mirrors the real anxieties and experiences of many households today, encompassing family separation and the deportation of breadwinning loved ones.
It is not the initial instance churches have employed Christmas displays for social commentary. In previous years, displays have highlighted issues ranging from war to the environmental emergency.
Encountering Pushback and Enduring the Elements
The statements are not always widely accepted. A church minister participating commented that some critics either misinterpret the message or “find it really challenging to their conscience and are reacting negatively at the art rather than considering what the actual message is.”
In a literal sense, the elements have also impacted one scene. At another church, the statue of St. Joseph was blown down in a storm and was unable to be restored. A substitute notice now occupies the spot, declaring: “Joseph was lost. We keep this place to honor and remember all the those affected of immigration enforcement actions.”