The display, which has stoked debate on the Facebook page of the church’s lead pastor, shows classic nativity figurines of Joseph and Mary in cages on either side of a cage containing the manger of Jesus. “We see this as, in some ways, the Holy Family standing in for the nameless families,” said the Rev. Karen Clark Ristine, the lead pastor at Claremont United Methodist Church. AdvertisementRistine, who has served as the church’s lead pastor only since July, said the church often uses its nativity scene to tackle a societal issue. A more traditional nativity scene, showing the Holy Family reunited, can be found inside the church, which serves a congregation of about 300 people, Ristine said.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 09, 2019 00:33 UTC