Christmastime ushered in manger-robbing in New Jersey, where at least 5 baby Jesus figurines were swiped from nativity scenes at local churches.
The Archdiocese of Newark told NBC News called the thefts from area churches “nonsensical” and “sad” and that he hoped the perpetrators would have a change of heart.
And yet, according to a roundup by the New York Times, the New Jersey 5 were just a drop in the Jesus-nabbing bucket.
The holy babe in the manger was taken from a Massachusetts church, not once, but twice this year. A woman in Texas had her statute stolen on Christmas. And someone reportedly stole a baby Jesus from a Pennsylvania town’s National Christmas Center.
In the wake of the thefts, which seem to be a holiday tradition for some, churches have been using less expensive, decoy Jesus statues.
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