Southern California Church Displays Controversial Nativity Scene

A Southern California church is embracing the spirit of Christmas!

… oh, no, they’re not …

They’re just using the story of Christmas to stir outrage about the Obama-era immigration policy that separated families at the United States/Mexico border.

Rev. Karen Clark Ristine posted the following about her controversial display, which shows Jesus, Mary and Joseph in individual barbed-wire cages.

The post quickly went viral.

Ristine defends her “protest Nativity,” claiming that she does not believe the statement is political, but theological.

The reverend told the Washington Post that “A nativity is the theological equivalent to public art, and the role of public art has always been to offer awareness… Jesus taught us kindness and mercy and the radical welcome of all people.”

Ristine said the church has received an outpouring of public support, but Christians have expressed their disgust online, calling the take on nativity “disrespectful” and even “sacrilegious.”