This article was written by Megan Fincher.

According to AP News, a town in Illinois recently set up its nativity scene with a political twist. In the scene, Mary is depicted in a gas mask, and baby Jesus is nearby wearing plastic restraints around his wrists. Surrounding them are Roman Soldiers depicted as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The display symbolizes Jesus and his family being persecuted if they were in today’s world. The creators of the display claimed they wanted people to understand migrants’ humanity better in a time of celebration of religious morals. 

However, AP News states that the people who disagree with the display claim it is sacrilegious. Individuals over the years have used the Bible to both argue for and against migration, and Christians do not have a clear conclusion. Hence, the display is to promote a political concept that not all Christians believe the Bible supports. 

Yet, supporters of the display might argue that Jesus made political displays to promote God’s morals as well. After all, his teaching about being the son of god offended the Jewish communities in which he was staying. However, whether the Bible gives an average individual the authority to outwardly denounce a sect of government is in question. 

A good conclusion to this dilemma is that while politics may seem overbearing and unrelated to religion, Jesus was a political figure of his time. What remains to be decided is whether the political display is an accurate representation of Jesus’ values. After all, the Christian community should seek to represent Jesus’ actions and commands to their church. This display is fully protected as free speech and only ultimately leaves moral and religious reasoning to be judged.