Who Stole Baby Jesus from Manger at Arlington Church?

PHOTO: Calvary United Methodist Church in Arlington says the Baby Jesus in their nativity scene has gone missing. Photo courtesy of church.

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ARLINGTON, VA -- An Arlington church is hoping that whoever stole the Baby Jesus from their manger scene will return it soon.

“While we would love to *share* Jesus with anyone, we’d rather not lose him from our nativity scene,” Calvary United Methodist, located at 2315 S. Grant St. in Arlington, said in a Facebook post Monday.

The church says someone took the holy figure, displayed over the Christmas holidays, sometime after 8 p.m. on Saturday.

This is the third time that this has happened. Previously, the figure was stolen but was returned to the manger scene on Christmas morning. Another time, the figure was taken but not returned, ARLnow reported.

Church supporters were quick to react online:

• Susan: “Is this becoming an annual tradition?”
• Lynn: “Oh no. Not again. Praying someone returns him.”
• Kathy: “Again????? Oh nooooo.”

Arlington Police said the Baby Jesus statuette was secured with fishline and someone had to snip it in order to take it from the manger.

Meanwhile, the church is posting flyers: “Baby Jesus Missing. Please Return. No Questions Asked.” (See the church’s Facebook post below.)

Patch will update if there are new developments in the story.