Church Zip-Ties Baby Jesus in Nativity Outrage
A Nativity scene like no other has appeared on the grounds of Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois, and it's stirring up a storm. Instead of the traditional peaceful tableau, this display reportedly shows baby Jesus with his wrists zip-tied, wrapped in a foil emergency blanket, and flanked by figures dressed as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
A Nativity Reimagined
The church's display features baby Jesus wrapped in a thin blanket resembling the emergency foil blankets used in detention centers. According to Fox News, the church says his hands are bound with zip ties, a stark visual referencing children who were reportedly restrained during a recent ICE raid on a Chicago apartment building. The church claims most residents in that raid were US citizens, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of enforcement actions.
Surrounding the infant are masked centurions reportedly styled as ICE agents, wearing sunglasses and green vests labeled "ICE." Mary and Joseph are also masked, with Mary originally depicted wearing a respirator mask to protect against tear gas, though recent photos show the mask removed and the zip ties on Jesus cut, as reported by Fox News.
The church's Facebook post reads, "This installation reimagines the nativity as a scene of forced family separation, drawing direct parallels between the Holy Family's refugee experience and contemporary immigration detention practices," as reported by Fox News. The post continues, "The Holy Family were refugees. This is not political interpretation, this is the reality described in the stories our tradition has told and retold for millenia. The church hopes the display will restore the "radical edge" of the Nativity story and challenge observers to "ask what it means to celebrate the birth of a refugee child while turning away those who follow in that child's footsteps."
The Moral Message Behind the Display
Rev. Michael Woolf, a senior minister at Lake Street Church, has been vocal about the message behind the scene. According to Newsweek, he points to the historical context of Jesus being born into a world ruled by the Roman Empire, where the Holy Family had to flee and become refugees. Woolf connects this to the current struggles of migrants and refugees, especially families separated at US borders or held in detention facilities. He was reportedly among those arrested during a protest at an ICE facility in a Chicago suburb, underscoring his commitment to the cause.
The church also reportedly displays banners supporting Black Lives Matter and social justice causes, situating the Nativity scene within a broader framework of activism. The zip ties on baby Jesus' wrists directly reference a real incident in Chicago, making the display a stark reminder of what the church calls "enforcement terror" that does not discriminate based on documentation status, as reported by Fox News.
Divided Reactions
The installation has drawn a wide range of responses. Some see it as a powerful piece of religious art that forces people to confront uncomfortable truths about immigration enforcement. One supporter praised the display for using "powerful art" to address issues that others mock, hoping more such displays will "trigger the masses in a positive way," as reported by Fox News.
Others view the scene as a misinterpretation or even a desecration of a sacred story. Critics argue that the Holy Family were not refugees in the modern sense but were simply complying with a census requirement under Caesar Augustus. One commenter called the display "blasphemy" and questioned whether the church had read the Bible correctly, as reported by Fox News. Another framed the census as a legal requirement akin to current immigration laws, suggesting that those who want to immigrate legally should follow the paperwork process rather than protest enforcement actions.
A Broader Trend Among Churches
Lake Street Church is not alone in using Nativity scenes to comment on immigration enforcement. In Dedham, Massachusetts, St. Susanna Parish reportedly replaced the traditional Holy Family figures with a sign reading "ICE was here," accompanied by a message encouraging people to call an immigration justice network if they see ICE agents, according to The Independent. This display also sparked controversy, with some calling it divisive and disrespectful to the Christmas message, while others praised it for highlighting the plight of immigrants facing deportation.
Rev. Stephen Josoma of St. Susanna Parish explained that the display was intended to "hold a mirror up to the world around us and reflect the celebration of Christmas with the reality of the world around us," as reported by Newsweek, emphasizing the reality faced by migrants, especially during a time when enforcement actions have increased. He noted that some parishioners who have followed all legal requirements still fear deportation to places where they could face violence or death. The church has helped resettle refugee families and sees its Nativity displays as part of its ministry to marginalized communities.
The Church's Position on Immigration Enforcement
The Catholic Church has broadly criticized aggressive immigration enforcement policies, describing them as moral and humanitarian concerns. Church leaders emphasize the sanctity of the family and the dignity of all people, arguing that large-scale deportations and family separations conflict with these teachings. Pope Leo XIV has expressed concern about violent arrests of migrants in the US, saying, "We have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have," while also acknowledging that countries have the right to control their borders, as reported by The Independent.
What's Next?
The Nativity scene at Lake Street Church remains a vivid symbol of the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. While the zip ties on baby Jesus' wrists have reportedly been cut and Mary's gas mask removed, the display continues to provoke discussion about the intersection of faith, politics, and human rights. Whether viewed as a call for empathy or a controversial reimagining of a sacred story, the scene has succeeded in drawing attention to the complex realities faced by migrants and refugees today.
References: Illinois church sparks controversy with ICE-themed Nativity scene | Outrage after church replaces Biblical figures in Nativity scene with sign saying 'ICE was here' | Churches Spark Backlash With ICE Nativity Scenes
