Baby Jesus theft
The Theft of Baby Jesus involves stealing the "Baby Jesus" from outdoor public and private nativity displays during the Christmas season.[1] Thefts of Babies Jesus usually outrage communities suffering the loss[1] with some folks decrying the prank as blasphemy. Babies Jesus are typically found by the vigilant or returned within hours or days of their disappearances. Some Babies Jesus have been defaced with profanity or Satanic symbols.[2]
After Stony Point lost its Baby Jesus to thieves in December 2008, a town official said, "If someone did it as a prank, I don't find it funny." The nativity scene had been vandalized the year before and a menorah next to it had been toppled and broken.[3]
One Texas family took matters into their own hands in 2008. After losing their teeter-totter to thieves, they positioned surveillance cameras on their yard and discovered a teenage girl stealing a US$500 Baby Jesus.[2]
Some communities are protecting their Babies Jesus with GPS devices concealed within the ceramic figurines.[2]While most disappearances of Babies Jesus are regarded as pranks, some wonder if an Anti-Christian sentiment lurks behind the thefts. Attorney Mike Johnson of the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal group, has said:[2]
"I suspect most of it is childish pranks. Clearly, there are adults with an agenda to remove Christ from Christmas. But they tend to occupy themselves with the courts and courtroom of public opinion."[2]
References
- ^ a b Cloud, Olivia M. Joy to the World: Inspirational Christmas Messages from America's Preachers. Simon and Schuster, 2006. ISBN 1416540008.
- ^ a b c d e "Communities Protect Baby Jesus Statues With Hidden Cameras, GPS". Associated Press. December 10, 2008.
- ^ "Baby Jesus Stolen From New York Town Hall Display". Associated Press. December 31, 2008.
