An Illinois church has stirred controversy with an unconventional Nativity scene that casts baby Jesus in a stark light, bound by zip ties and watched over by figures dressed as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Lake Street Church of Evanston has set up this thought-provoking display on its premises. The scene portrays baby Jesus swaddled in a material resembling the aluminum foil blankets commonly associated with detention centers, a choice intended to spotlight the conditions in such facilities. Nearby, figures dressed as Roman centurions don sunglasses and green vests emblazoned with “ICE,” adding a modern twist to the ancient tale.

The depiction further includes Mother Mary adorned with a respirator mask, a nod to protection against tear gas, according to the church. Joseph is similarly masked, reinforcing the scene’s contemporary symbolism.

In a recent Facebook post, the church elaborated on the installation’s intent, which is to reframe the Nativity story as a narrative of forced family separation. The portrayal draws parallels between the Holy Family’s historic flight as refugees and the current realities faced by many in immigration detention today.

This politically charged Nativity scene has sparked dialogue, using its imagery to comment on pressing social issues and inviting the public to reflect on the parallels between age-old stories and contemporary challenges.

“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,” the post reads.

“‘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,’” it continues. “‘By witnessing this familiar story through the reality faced by migrants today, we hope to restore its radical edge, and 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 church, which also hangs Black Lives Matter banners and social justice banners, said the zip ties on the baby’s wrists directly reference children who were zip-tied by agents during a raid on a Chicago apartment building earlier this year. The church claims most residents were U.S. citizens in that incident. It called the display a stark reminder that “enforcement terror does not discriminate by documentation status.”

A nighttime view of Lake Street Church’s Nativity display in Evanston, Illinois, which depicts Mary and Joseph alongside centurion-style figures dressed as ICE agents. The church said the installation draws parallels between the Holy Family’s flight and modern immigration enforcement. (Fox News)

In recent days, it appears Mary’s gas mask has been removed, while the zip ties have been cut from the baby Jesus’ hands.

The Facebook post and display drew both criticism and praise from commenters.

“Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because they had to return to Joseph’s ancestral home to be counted in the census,” one person wrote. “So Trump is just following that example and sending people HOME per a legal requirement. If they want to immigrate LEGALLY, they can fill out the paperwork before they leave and self-deport.”

“Blasphemy!!! Father forgive them, they know not what they do,” another wrote. 

A mannequin representing Mary stands beside ICE-styled centurion figures during a nighttime snowfall at Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois. The church’s Nativity scene links the biblical story to modern immigration enforcement practices. (Fox News)

A different commenter argued the church had misinterpreted the Bible: “The Holy Family were refugees… do you guys read the Bible? Mary and Joseph travelled as required by Caesar’s census requirement, NOT refugees.”

Others supported the display, with one user calling it “very powerful art.”

“Out of all the tragedy affecting my community, I’m glad powerful art is being used to address the issues that trolls make fun of,” one person wrote. “Hoping more displays like this come out to trigger the masses in a positive way.”

Lake Street Church has staged politically themed Nativity scenes before. In 2023, it set up a display showing Baby Jesus alone amid rubble as an homage to civilians trapped in the war in Gaza, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Rev. Michael Woolf, a senior minister at Lake Street Church of Evanston, was among 21 people arrested on Nov. 14 outside the ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois, per Patch.