Claremont (US), Dec 10 (IANS): A church in Claremont, 48 km east of California, has put on display a Nativity scene -- but with a difference -- to protest treatment of migrants and refugees in the United States, winning approval from Twitterati.

Claremont United Methodist Church's leaders said that they were hoping that it would start a conversation on compassion and tenets of the Christian faith.

In the scene, a Mylar blanket is wrapped around a figure of baby Jesus while his parents, Mary and Joseph, look on from separate chain-link cages even as barbed wire hangs overhead.

One Twitter user posted a picture of the scene and wrote: "The nativity scene at Claremont United Methodist church." It got 34K retweets and 97.1K likes.

Twitterati emphasised Christian teachings, and praised the church for putting up the scene.

One user wrote: "Instead of being in cages it would be ideal if it showed them filling out paperwork for entry or crossing the border back to their home. But, some people just can't stand to wait in lines."

Another wrote; "That is FREAKING AWESOME! It makes a helluva statement while being thought-provoking, moving, and very, very depressing. I really hope citizens visiting it will understand the impact."

One post read: "Kudos to the Claremont CA United Methodist Church. I haven't been inside a church in years... but one with this kind of theological philosophy and practices could get me back through those doors."

One user remarked: "Congratulations! Thought-provoking and making any real Christian's heart ache... literally making "For The Love Of God" part of Christmas... Thank You!"