Controversial Nativity Scene in Illinois Church
A church in Illinois is attracting criticism for its nativity scene, which portrays baby Jesus with his hands bound in zip ties, being watched over by figures resembling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
This display is located outside Lake Street Church in Evanston. Baby Jesus is swaddled in a thin blanket that mimics emergency foil blankets found in detention centers. One figure, modeled after a Roman centurion, sports sunglasses and a vest marked “ICE.”
Additionally, the Virgin Mary is depicted wearing a gas mask “to shield herself from tear gas,” as noted by the church, while Joseph also has a mask on.
In a Facebook post, the church explained that this installation aims to draw parallels between the Holy Family’s experience as refugees and the current practices seen in immigrant detention facilities. It reinterprets the nativity scene as a representation of forced family separation.
The church stated, “The Holy Family were refugees. This isn’t merely a political interpretation. It reflects a reality depicted in the stories passed down through generations.” They believe that viewing this familiar story through the lens of modern immigration challenges could help reclaim its radical message, questioning what it means to celebrate the arrival of a refugee child while marginalizing contemporary immigrants.
This church also showcases banners advocating Black Lives Matter and social justice. They pointed out that the zip ties around the baby’s wrists directly reference an incident where children were zip tied by officers during a raid on a Chicago apartment earlier this year, where many of the residents were reportedly U.S. citizens. They emphasized that “enforcement doesn’t differentiate based on documentation.”
Interestingly, it seems Mary’s gas mask was recently taken off, and the zip ties on baby Jesus have been cut.
The post generated mixed reactions. Some commenters were critical, pointing out that “Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem due to the census.” They suggested that President Trump’s policies are just following legal requirements for immigration. Another responded with disappointment, labeling the display as “Blasphemy!”
In contrast, others praised the church’s effort, referring to it as “very powerful art.” One person expressed their gratitude for the church tackling tough community issues through art, wishing to see more initiatives like this.
Lake Street Church has previously installed politically themed nativity scenes. In 2023, they displayed baby Jesus among the ruins, symbolizing trapped civilians in Gaza.
Rev. Michael Wolff, the senior pastor of the church, was recently among 21 individuals arrested during a protest outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois.
