For those not of the Christian tradition, a nativity display shows the Holy family – parents Mary and Joseph with newly born Jesus. Since the story says he was born in a stable and laid in a manger, those are usually part of the display too. Then one can add various farm animals, shepherds and wise men, perhaps an angel, and whatever else might fit the fancy of the person assembling the scene.
Anthony Breznican, a Vanity Fair, correspondent, tweeted a thread about the display at Claremont. I encourage you go to his thread to see images. Then scroll into the comments (these are mostly safe).
Breznican includes a bit of the statement that pastor Karen Clark Ristine posted to Facebook. Breznican notes that a huge number of the Facebook comments to this display are full of MAGA rage. She reminds us shortly after Jesus was born the family had to flee to Egypt to avoid the persecution of King Herod. Wrote Ristine:
What if this family sought refuge in our country today?Breznican added:
Imagine Joseph and Mary separated at the border and Jesus no older than two taken from is mother and placed behind the fences of a Border Patrol detention center as more than 5,5000 children have been the past three years.
I love the Nativity story. I love it not because it is warm and fuzzy, but because it is about perseverance against cruelty.
I have never looked at it in the modern perspective. This is interesting and thanks for sharing
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