Baby Jesus figurine returned after theft from nativity scene
BUTTE, Mont. >> A baby Jesus figurine stolen from a nativity scene at a Montana residence on New Year’s Day was returned Thursday with two notes from someone pretending to be God.
Jack McCormick said he was relieved to see the 15-inch (38-centimeter) figurine in the snow in his yard in Butte, The Montana Standard reported.
“This is God,” one of the notes read. “I took my son back for a trip! I’m returning him now! God Bless!”
A second note asked the family, in part, to: “Please keep further matters off Facebook.”
McCormick had posted a picture Tuesday on Facebook of the missing figurine and the Standard ran a story Wednesday.
Andrea McCormick said her uncle acquired the nativity scene when St. Helena Catholic Church was relocated in the late 1960s.
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It wasn’t the first time some of the figurines had gone missing.
She said her uncle loaned the set to St. Patrick Catholic Church for a time. While it was on display, some of the figurines were stolen but were soon found in a nearby alley.
Jack McCormick did post on Facebook Thursday that the figurine had been returned and he thanked people who shared his post.
“Andrea’s prayers to St. Anthony might have had a little to do with it too!” he posted.