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by Valentina Martelli 10 December 2019Mrs. Sanchez looks perplexed at three cages, located outside the Methodist church in Claremont, California. Like her, many others stand before what is becoming the most discussed Nativity scene this Christmas. The newborn Jesus, the parents Giuseppe and Maria are not, in fact, under a hut, nor can they find refuge in a cave. They are enclosed in cages and all three are separated.A clear message on the policies of dividing the border immigrants implemented by the Trump administration, even if there are no signs that say it next to the representation of the separated Holy Family. The Reverend Karen Clark Ristine wanted to explain the reason for the choice, in a post on Facebook that has become viral and that is receiving thousands of comments. "In an age, during which, in our country, refugee families seek asylum by knocking at our borders and are unintentionally separated from each other - he wrote - we consider what was the situation of the most famous refugee family in the world ". He then recalls the couple's flight from King Herod, the fear of persecution and death, and continues: "Imagine Joseph and Mary separated at the border and Jesus no older than two years, taken from his mother and put behind the fence of a detention center by the Border Patrol agents, as has happened to more than 5,500 children in the last three years. "To make matters worse, Jesus is, in fact, wrapped in the same metal blankets given to migrant children to keep warm.
A political approach that not everyone likes, the Reverend is accused of trying to expand his community of 300 faithful by pushing on the immigration issue without explaining the reasons why these separations take place. Add to this the comments of those who think a sacred message like the Nativity is being manipulated, while those attending the church say that the Claremont United Methodist Church has a long history of inclusion and defense of rights. Just look at the Christmas decorations. In addition to red velvet arches and sparkling lights, there are also rainbow-colored signs announcing: "Everyone is welcome". While several symbols of peace, made with colored adhesive tape, hang from a tree outside the main sanctuary.
"The family is reunited within the Church," Reverend Clark Ristine always writes in the post, but it does not seem sufficient to calm the controversy.
Mrs. Sanchez shakes her head and walks away. "I do not know - he says - I do not like", while the daughter replies that it is important that the church they attend has taken a stand against the separation of families at the border. Although doing so has opened up another form of division, in this case, only of opinions.