Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is under fire after issuing a false and politically motivated Christmas message claiming that Jesus Christ was a refugee.
“Today I join millions around the world in celebrating the arrival of divinity on earth, who came into this world not in riches but in poverty, not as a citizen but as a refugee. No matter where or how we celebrate, merry Christmas,” he wrote.
Today I join millions around the world in celebrating the arrival of divinity on earth, who came into this world not in riches but in poverty, not as a citizen but as a refugee.
No matter where or how we celebrate, merry Christmas.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) December 25, 2019
Townhall notes that the Gospel of Luke states that Mary and Joseph traveled to their ancestral home in Bethlehem for a census, not as refugees.
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2 King James Version (KJV)
On Twitter, Matt Walsh wrote, “Joseph and Mary went to their ancestral home in Bethlehem for a census. In no sense did Jesus ‘come into this world as a refugee.’ There’s also no reason to think that Joseph was particularly impoverished. So nothing about this tweet is correct.”
Joseph and Mary went to their ancestral home in Bethlehem for a census. In no sense did Jesus “come into this world as a refugee.” There’s also no reason to think that Joseph was particularly impoverished. So nothing about this tweet is correct. https://t.co/KNOCzvb4dc
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 26, 2019
New England Patriots football player Benjamin Watson also weighed in, writing, “Jesus was not born a refugee. Read the text. But indeed he was God incarnate born in humble surroundings, in fulfillment of prophecy, on mission to save all mankind. Merry Christmas!”
Jesus was not born a refugee. Read the text.
But indeed he was God incarnate born in humble surroundings, in fulfillment of prophecy, on mission to save all mankind. Merry Christmas! https://t.co/KmofiTmNNs
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) December 25, 2019
As Breitbart points out, Buttigieg’s immigration plan promises to allow at least 125,000 refugees into the U.S. in his first year in office. He also wants to pass a law that would force the U.S. to admit more than 95,000 refugees every year.
