The Hidden Messages and Symbolism Behind Nativity Scenes
**The Keffiyeh Nativity Scene Controversy: An Intersection of Art, Heritage, and Resistance**
On December 7, 2023, a nativity scene displayed at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica sparked widespread conversation, both online and in public discourse, for its use of the keffiyeh—a traditional Palestinian scarf—as swaddling for baby Jesus. Created by Palestinian artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, the scene became emblematic of the intersecting cultural and political dimensions of art, drawing both praise and criticism. Following backlash from various quarters labeling the depiction as politically charged and “blasphemous,” the Vatican removed the display. However, the discourse around the scene only grows, with its poignant symbolism shedding light on centuries-old traditions of politically and socially nuanced nativity representations.
### **The Nativity Scene in Context**
The inclusion of the keffiyeh in the Vatican’s nativity scene connects the birth of Jesus to modern struggles for identity and resistance. The keffiyeh, a black-and-white scarf, is widely recognized as a symbol of Palestinian heritage, resilience, and resistance under occupation. Other elements in the nativity scene—such as the mother-of-pearl starburst engraved with the words “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to all people” in Latin and Arabic—further highlight the cultural ties to Jesus’s birthplace, Bethlehem, a city situated within the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Far from being an isolated instance, the use of politically and culturally charged symbols in nativity scenes has its roots in art history. Artists throughout history have reimagined the Holy Family’s story through the lens of the marginalized, oppressed, or displaced, contextualizing the biblical narrative to shed light on contemporary struggles. The uproar around the keffiyeh nativity evokes this broader historical tradition in which art is not only a reflection of faith but also of the society it inhabits.
### **Art, Politics, and the Nativity Scene**
Artists have long used the nativity story—a tale of humble beginnings, diasporic displacement, and spiritual redemption—as a platform to critique existing political and social systems. As the centuries progressed, depictions of the nativity evolved, with artists infusing their works with the struggles and identities of their times:
– **Early Christian to Byzantine Depictions:** In Byzantine-era nativity art, Jesus’s birthplace was portrayed under a “turugium,” or tiled roof, set inside the Cave of the Nativity in Bethlehem. These settings emphasized the geographic and cultural ties of the Holy Family to Bethlehem.
– **Renaissance and Baroque Eras:** During these periods, the nativity was often contextualized amid Greco-Roman ruins to symbolize Christianity’s triumph over paganism, while drawing attention to the imperfections of the surrounding world. These works also began to incorporate shepherds and Magis (three kings) with stylized ethnicities and clothing, reflecting the expanding reach of Christianity through colonialism and cultural exchanges.
– **World Wars and 20th Century Conflicts:** War-time nativity art brought new interpretations: during World War I, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were seen huddled in bomb shelters or among war-torn ruins to reflect the massive societal destruction of the period. Polish artist Stanisław Przespolewski reimagined the Holy Family in Polish folk attire during World War II, positioning contemporary Polish soldiers as protectors—linking national identity with Christian iconography.
– **Protest and Activism:** In 1968, artist Joey Skaggs staged a Vietnamese nativity scene in New York City’s Central Park, with a political commentary against war. Depicted in bamboo shelters with a controversial symbolic “burned pig,” the scene criticized the Vietnam War, underscoring the plight of civilians caught in military conflict.
### **Recent Trends in Nativity Reinterpretations**
In the 21st century, nativity art has become increasingly intertwined with humanitarian issues, activism, and critiques of systemic injustice. Notable examples include:
– **Banksy’s “Scar of Bethlehem” (2019):** The enigmatic street artist unveiled a nativity scene in Bethlehem beside the West Bank separation wall. The starburst hovering above baby Jesus’s manger was depicted as a bullet hole, effectively symbolizing the violence and suffering experienced by Palestinian communities.
– **Border Detention and Refugees:** In 2019, Claremont United Methodist Church in California staged a nativity scene with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph locked in metal cages, critiquing the U.S.’s Border Patrol detention policies and highlighting the struggles of migrant families. Similarly, artist Kelly Latimore’s “Tent City Nativity” (2022) relocated the Holy Family to an unhoused community, drawing parallels between their biblical journey as refugees and modern homelessness.
– **War and Genocide:** A Ukrainian artist’s