An artistic depiction of a Nativity display featuring a bloody Trayvon Martin is stirring up controversy for the Claremont United Methodist Church.
According to Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, artist John Zachary has been creating "thought-provoking" Nativity scenes since 2007. To the Church and Zachary, the scene is titled "A Child is Born, a Son is Given" is meant to be a reminder of what Joseph and Mary represented during biblical times: outsiders.
"I think the value of this is that it stretches us to think, what does the birth of Christ call us to do?" Sharon Rhodes-Wickett, the church's lead pastor, told the Daily Bulletin.
However, it does not mean Rhodes-Wickett isn't disturbed by the images Zachary set up, but reiterates the message he is trying to portray is an important one.
"I found this year's hard to look at. It's hard to look at a young man who's shot and bleeding to death. But even though I'm uncomfortable with it, that's the point," Rhodes-Wickett said. "We have to take a look at the violence."
"They may not agree what to do about it, but they agree it's a bad thing," Zachary told the Daily Bulletin.
Zachary hopes that the Trayvon Martin inspired nativity scene would cause families to think about their own blessings. Zachary told the Daily Bulletin many Christmas presents and traditions reflect "privilege, and there's a lot of people who don't have that privilege. Maybe I should do something that's provocative, that's more in keeping with the teachings of Jesus."
There is a written explanation posted by the Nativity display. The sign begins:
"There is no better time to reflect on gun violence than advent, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born into a state of total vulnerability as an innocent, unarmed child during a time of great violence much like Trayvon Martin."
Click here to view photos of the scene.
Warning: video contains graphic images
