31 Days of Christmas – Day #3

The Stolen Statue

In Los Angeles, on Christmas morning, many years ago, Father Hopkins unlocked the church doors in preparation for the 6:00 AM mass. A quick perusal of the sanctuary showed everything in order. The worshippers came and went.

Then, just before the 8:00 service, Father Hopkins checked around again, and to his great dismay, he noticed the Christ child was missing from the nativity scene. In the frantic search that followed, there was no sign of the statue. Everything else in the scene was untouched.
Strange that anyone would want this plaster-of-paris, hand-painted likeness of the Baby Jesus. Complete, the manger set was not worth much; and alone, the one statue of the child was worth even less. But then, without the Son of God, the nativity scene was not worth anything at all.
The focal point was conspicuous by its absence. Who would do such a thing? Could it be pranksters? Atheists? Maybe some scrooge trying to spoil the happy Holy Day?
No one was sure, but one fact was certain: someone had walked into the chapel and stolen Christ right out of Christmas.
Then, just before the 9:00 service, a little boy appeared at the front door of the church. He was pulling a brand new wagon, and in the wagon was the missing statue.
Father Hopkins asked, “Juan, where did you find Jesus?” The boy replied. “Oh, I didn’t find Him, I took Him!”
When Father Hopkins asked Juan why, he said, “Well, I prayed to Jesus for a new wagon, andI promised that when it came, I’d give Him the very first ride!”