The birth of Jesus represents the true meaning of the Messiah’s arrival on earth to save humanity from their sins, and it is unrelated to immigration.
Matthew 1:20 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
A church in Dallas has stirred controversy by using its nativity scene to make a statement about immigration. When something as sacred as the birth of Jesus is turned into a political commentary, it can be seen as an act of blasphemy against God and what is Holy.
Blasphemy, in biblical terms, refers to the act of showing contempt or a lack of reverence for God, His name, His attributes, or His works. It is regarded as a grave sin because it directly challenges the holiness and sovereignty of God. The term can also encompass irreverence towards sacred things and the Holy Spirit.
Outside Dallas, a United Methodist Church displays a nativity scene where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are depicted as contemporary immigrants behind a barbed wire fence. Mary and Joseph stand atop the church steps, enclosed by a chain link fence with razor wire, while old bicycle wheels form their halos.
The display features shopping carts and two metal bins, symbolizing the makeshift fires used by homeless individuals for warmth. An empty tire represents a manager. Inside the church, signs read “ICE was here,” “Where is Mary?” and “Where is Joseph?” in both English and Spanish. Posters from the song “Holy is the Refugee” state, “Holy are our unsheltered neighbors,” and “Holy are the profiled and patrolled.”
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Church leaders have decided to display artwork on the recently painted rainbow-colored steps. They want to make a statement after state officials mandated that the city of Dallas repaint a rainbow crosswalk near the church because of its political message.
The pastor explains that this arrangement symbolizes marginalized groups, such as immigrants, refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, and the unhoused. This interpretation of the nativity scene encourages viewers to imagine what Jesus’ birth would look like today. “God is with us, especially on the margins.”
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
What better way to truly embrace that kind of theology than to depict what the Holy Family would be experiencing in our culture today? Anyone who has read the Bible knows that God is absent from this context.
Some critics have expressed concern that the display politicizes Christmas. The pastor acknowledges that some people might view the display as a reference to ICE detention centers and homeless camps. However, she disagrees with the claim that it politicizes the holiday.
“Putting this installation out is not adding politics; it’s removing the filters that may have made the story feel safe in the first place because it never was,” she stated. She mentioned that the church’s mission is to present an alternative perspective on the holiday, typically one of joy and happiness, and to offer a more “unsettling story” for members to contemplate.
One person stated, “I believe it is a modern interpretation of the gospel.” This statement indicates confusion, similar to that of the church’s members. I believe the leaders of the church have entirely missed the meaning of Jesus’ birth.
In the book of Luke, the Holy Angels describe the significance of Jesus’ birth.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Making the birth of Jesus about immigration distorts the true meaning of the Messiah’s birth.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
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