The most profound betrayals often come cloaked in righteousness. It’s a chilling realization when those claiming to follow Christ distort His message for earthly agendas, twisting sacred symbols into tools of political protest.
Recently, a church in Evanston, Illinois, unveiled a “Nativity” scene that sparked outrage and sorrow. This wasn’t a celebration of hope and peace, but a stark, unsettling reimagining designed to condemn immigration enforcement. The scene deliberately drew parallels between the Holy Family’s plight and the experiences of those facing deportation.
The details were particularly disturbing. Baby Jesus was depicted with zip ties binding his wrists – a direct reference to incidents involving detained individuals, even U.S. citizens. It was a jarring image, meant to evoke fear and outrage, but instead, it felt like a desecration.
Adding to the unsettling display, Mary and Joseph were portrayed wearing gas masks. This imagery aimed to highlight the use of tear gas against protestors, framing advocacy for immigration reform as a righteous struggle. The scene wasn’t about reverence; it was about making a statement.
The pastor of this church, Michael Woolf, was himself arrested last month by ICE agents. This fact, while perhaps unsurprising given the church’s stance, underscores the escalating tensions and the willingness to confront authority.
Beyond the political statement, a deeper unease emerges when considering the church’s broader ideology. Online videos reveal the pastor’s stated pronouns, and the church’s website prominently features “social justice” and a “Covenant” emphasizing individual interpretation of faith. This focus on personal expression, while not inherently wrong, can easily lead to a dilution of core beliefs.
The apostle Paul warned of a time when people would “accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,” rejecting sound doctrine. This scene feels like a fulfillment of that prophecy – a desperate search for validation of pre-existing beliefs, even at the expense of spiritual truth.
The problem isn’t simply disagreement with the church’s political views. Even if the Nativity scene had championed a cause one personally supported, it would remain deeply problematic. The Nativity is a depiction of God’s selfless act of salvation, a gift of grace offered to a broken world.
To co-opt that sacred story for political gain is an act of profound arrogance. It suggests a belief that one’s own opinions are worthy of being placed alongside, or even above, the divine message of redemption. It’s a dangerous elevation of self.
Ultimately, the Lake Street Church’s “Nativity” is a chilling example of prideful distortion. While their political ideas may be forgiven, the spirit of blasphemy that fueled their creation should give pause to anyone who truly seeks to understand and honor the birth of Christ.
