Ocasio-Cortez Calls Jesus a ‘Refugee’ in Christmas Message. It Doesn’t Go Well

“Joy to the World!” Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote as people celebrated the birth of Jesus, but she also brought up the idea that Jesus was a “refugee” in the manger — which backfired on the self-proclaimed “democratic socialist.”

Ocasio-Cortez came under fire over her Christmas tweet when she compared it to the immigrants who are at the U.S.-Mexico border. She has previously compared the migrant caravan to Jewish families fleeing Nazi Germany.

“Merry Christmas everyone – here’s to a holiday filled with happiness, family, and love for all people. (Including refugee babies in mangers + their parents.),” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter.

Joy to the World!

Merry Christmas everyone – here’s to a holiday filled with happiness, family, and love for all people. 🌎(Including refugee babies in mangers + their parents.)

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 25, 2018

According to Fox News, Ocasio-Cortez’s statement missed the mark.

Fox News’ Samuel Chamberlain wrote:

Mary and Joseph are not depicted as refugees in the Nativity story. According to the Gospel of Luke, Joseph brings the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem so that he may enroll in a census ordered by the Roman emperor Agustus. The couple are forced to take shelter in the stable where Jesus is born due to a lack of room at the inn.

However, in the Gospel of Matthew, Mary and Joseph flee into Egypt with the infant Jesus after King Herod of Judea orders the murder of every boy aged two and under in Bethlehem after the Magi ask him where to find the newborn “King of the Jews.” The Holy Family escape the slaughter and are told by an angel to return to Israel once Herod is dead.

Others were quick to slam the Democrat’s “refugee” remark:

I really, really encourage you to read the Bible for yourself. You may be surprised by what God has to say about life inside the womb, the wisdom in border walls, and the dangers of tyranny! https://t.co/0fF0iSmdpt

— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) December 25, 2018

You really should read the Bible @Ocasio2018.

Mother Mary and St. Joseph were NOT refugees.

In fact, by traveling to The Town of King David as part of the Roman census, they were obeying national laws.

Exactly the opposite of a refugee or an Illegal Alien.

Facts: TRY THEM. https://t.co/9aDRyukdp9

— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) December 25, 2018

Mary and Joseph weren't refugees, moron. They were on their way to pay their taxes, as mandated by Rome. You're now Rome, by the way. https://t.co/b2lCsQcy78

— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) December 25, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez then responded with an article that she thought would explain her reasoning for calling Jesus a “refugee” in the manger:

Joy to the World!

Merry Christmas everyone – here’s to a holiday filled with happiness, family, and love for all people. 🌎(Including refugee babies in mangers + their parents.)

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 25, 2018

This isn’t the first time her remarks have come under fire, as Ocasio-Cortez has found herself in the spotlight several times since taking on Washington, D.C. As IJR Red reported, Rep.-elect Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), who also found himself gaining popularity, told IJR that Ocasio-Cortez has an “extremely different style” from him.