Away in a manger: Statue stolen from Nativity

The baby Jesus went missing from a church Nativity scene sometime Monday. In a social media post, Arlington United Methodist Church offered an impassioned — yet quite humorous — plea for the culprit to return the Christ child, no questions asked. "See something missing? That would be the Baby Jesus," the post begins. "Thought maybe He had fled to Egypt, however Mary and Joseph are still here … So it looks like the Baby Jesus has been stolen from our manger scene." The post goes on to note that the Jesus figure had been special ordered, "purchased with memorial gifts given in honor of dearly departed members of your community." The Rev. Mark Gregory, a pastor at the church, said he noticed the baby was missing at about 1 p.m. Monday after receiving a phone call from a concerned resident. He described the baby as roughly shoebox-sized and posed as if laying in a manger. Gregory said the full Nativity scene cost thousands of dollars and was paid for out of memorial funds to the church. The church is not looking to involve police at this time, and does not intend to press charges. "If someone has it and wants to return it, no questions asked, just put it back at the church and it's all good," Gregory said. That sentiment was reflected in the social media post: "We would love to offer you Jesus, however in a more personal and meaningful way. If you happen to be in possession of our Baby Jesus, you can return Him no questions asked. "And if you can do it soon, please do … The Wise Men are on their way, and it was kinda a long trip."