Christmas Day took an unexpected political twist when Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) stirred the pot with a contentious social media post.

On this sacred holiday, Swalwell shared an image on X, once called Twitter, showing ICE agents raiding the Bethlehem stable in a nativity scene, likening Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to illegal immigrants, as Breitbart reports.

This isn’t the first instance of the nativity being politicized. A progressive Illinois church, Lake Street Church of Evanston, sparked similar outrage last month with a display featuring a zip-tied baby Jesus and Roman soldiers portrayed as ICE agents.

Swalwell’s Post Ignites Fierce Debate

Swalwell’s message accompanying the image was anything but festive. “May this be the last Christmas we live this nightmare,” he posted on X. One has to question if such a charged analogy on Christmas Day helps or hinders meaningful dialogue.

Critics immediately challenged the historical basis of his comparison. According to Luke 2:1-4, Mary and Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem to comply with a Roman census under Caesar Augustus, as Joseph hailed from the lineage of David.

Some push the narrative that the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt to evade King Herod mirrors a refugee experience. Yet, Egypt was under Roman rule then, hardly akin to modern border-crossing scenarios.

Church Display Adds to Controversy

Lake Street Church of Evanston doubled down on this interpretation with their provocative setup. They called it an effort to “reimagine the nativity as a scene of forced family separation, drawing direct parallels between the Holy Family’s refugee experience and contemporary immigration detention practices,” as stated on Facebook.

The church’s display, with gas masks on Mary and Joseph, drew sharp criticism. It mirrored the backlash Swalwell faced for mixing sacred imagery with divisive policy issues.

Both attempts seem to suggest the Holy Family’s story aligns with modern immigration struggles. Yet, Scripture notes they returned to Galilee after Herod’s death, indicating temporary displacement, not ongoing exile.

Questioning the Narrative’s Fit

Immigration policy deserves robust, honest discussion, no doubt. But leveraging the nativity story as a political tool risks alienating far more than it convinces.

For many on the right, this feels like another case of progressive ideals co-opting treasured traditions. It’s not about lacking empathy for those in hardship, but about preserving the sanctity of a deeply meaningful narrative.

Swalwell’s choice of Christmas Day for this statement adds salt to the wound. A time meant for peace and togetherness shouldn’t double as a platform for polarizing debates.

Seeking a Better Path Forward

The debate over labeling the Holy Family as refugees or migrants sidesteps a broader issue. Their Biblical journey reflects compliance with authority and eventual homecoming, not a clear match for today’s policy challenges.

Maybe it’s worth asking if sacred stories are the right vehicle for these arguments. Compassion for immigration issues can be shown without reshaping history or offending believers.

Let’s aim for solutions and understanding through respectful conversation. That’s a gift we could all use, especially on a day as significant as Christmas.