A church in California has created a nativity scene that depicts baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Joseph as a family caged and separated the US-Mexico border.

Karen Clark Ristine posted the striking image on Facebook Saturday, saying she was 'stirred to tears' by the Claremont United Methodist Church nativity.

'The theological statement posted with the nativity: In a time in our country when refugee families seek asylum at our borders and are unwillingly separated from one another, we consider the most well-known refugee family in the world,' the minster captioned the image.

Karen Clark Ristine – who started her role as Senior Minister in July – posted the striking image on Facebook Saturday

The minister asked followers to 'imagine … Jesus no older than two taken from his mother and placed behind the fences of a Border Patrol detention center

'Shortly after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary were forced to flee with their young son from Nazareth to Egypt to escape King Herod, a tyrant. They feared persecution and death. What if this family sought refuge in our country today?'

The minister asked followers to 'imagine … Jesus no older than two taken from his mother and placed behind the fences of a Border Patrol detention center as more than 5,500 children have been the past three years'.

She added that 'Jesus grew up to teach us kindness and mercy and a radical welcome of all people'.

'This Christmas, the Holy Family takes the place of the thousands of nameless families separated at our borders,' she said.

The minster added that inside the church guests will see 'this same family reunited' as she shared hashtags calling to end family separation

The minster added that inside the church guests will see 'this same family reunited' as she shared hashtags calling to end family separation.

The scene came after in June disturbing conditions were uncovered when Department of Homeland Security inspectors visited multiple holding facilities in Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

A report written by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General offered new cause for alarm.

Public outrage grew over the conditions in which thousands of people - some no more than a few months old - are being held by the U.S. government.

The minister's followers praised her for the comparison while some others criticized her for making a political statement.