The Virgin Mary wearing a gas mask. The baby Jesus restrained with zip ties. Joseph knocked over on the ground. It is not a typical Nativity display, but one scene in Evanston is attracting attention. That's where Lake Street Church has erected a challenging creche as a way to get people thinking about their neighbors. #evanston #illinois #chicago #ice #nativity | NBC Chicago

In its present form, the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche for Christmas Eve of 1223. | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops