A Nativity scene in Evanston, Illinois, has ignited a firestorm of debate, presenting a stark and unsettling image of the traditional story.
Instead of peaceful adoration, baby Jesus is depicted with zip-tied hands, swaddled in a shimmering, metallic blanket meant to evoke the emergency foil used in detention centers.
Guarding the infant are figures styled as ICE agents – masked centurions in sunglasses and green vests, a deliberate and provocative reimagining of the biblical narrative.
Even Mary and Joseph are masked, with Mary’s respirator intended to symbolize protection from tear gas, a chilling detail added to the scene.
The church explains this installation isn’t a political statement, but a reflection of the Holy Family’s own experience as refugees, drawing a direct line between their plight and the struggles of modern migrants.
They argue the story of Christmas has always been radical, and celebrating the birth of a refugee child rings hollow while simultaneously rejecting those seeking refuge today.
The zip ties specifically reference a recent ICE raid in Chicago where agents reportedly used zip ties on residents, many of whom were U.S. citizens, highlighting what the church calls “enforcement terror.”
Interestingly, the scene has already undergone subtle changes; Mary’s gas mask has been removed, and the zip ties have been cut from baby Jesus’ wrists, perhaps in response to the intense reaction.
Commentary has been sharply divided, with some accusing the church of blasphemy and misinterpreting scripture, pointing to the census requirement that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.
Others defend the display as a powerful artistic statement, a necessary provocation to confront the realities faced by migrants and refugees.
One commenter expressed gratitude for art that addresses difficult issues, hoping it would “trigger the masses in a positive way.”
This isn’t the first time Lake Street Church has used its Nativity scene to make a political statement; last year, it depicted baby Jesus alone amidst rubble, a tribute to civilians in Gaza.
The senior minister, Rev. Michael Woolf, was recently arrested during a protest outside an ICE processing facility, further demonstrating the church’s commitment to social justice issues.
The display forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions about compassion, borders, and the true meaning of the Christmas story in a contemporary world.
