This Christmas season, churches in the United States have been experiencing thefts targeting the baby Jesus in Nativity scenes.
They said the baby Jesus is the most stolen item during Christmas, Rawstory reported.
In Casco, Maine, someone stole baby Jesus and Mary from the Nativity scene at Casco Village Church.
"Our church is very old and so these things become part of the walls and windows and Nativity set," said the church's Pastor Joyce Long, according to WGME CBS 13. She said this meant the thief also took a piece of the church's history with them.
The Nativity scene pieces were hand-painted decades ago by a 91-year-old church member.
"So they're kind of irreplaceable," Long said.
She said during Christmas Eve service, "we gather around this Nativity scene and we sing Silent Night."
In Boise, Idaho, a baby Jesus figurine was stolen from the Nativity scene at Journey Church.
"Unfortunately it appears that Jesus has grown up and started his Journey of Faith as he is now missing from our manger at the church's display, but the display must go on. Praying for a safe Journey for Jesus," the church posted on Facebook, according to station KTVB.
According to Pastor Mike Boswell, the figurine is part of the display belonging to a family in the church that decorates the church for Christmas every year.
"We would love to have him returned, especially for the family in our church that he belongs to," he said. The station said thefts of baby Jesus have been reported in New Jersey, North Carolina and Indiana.
Another baby Jesus statue was reported to have been stolen in Saline, Michigan more than a week ago.
Pastor William Natsis said he went to the manger to pick up a shepherd when he discovered the theft.
"I noticed there was no baby Jesus in the manger," he said, according to M Live.
The statue has been returned to the Trinity Lutheran Church, thanks to a tip and action by the Saline Police Department.
"Anything you can fit in the palm of your hand is a lot easier," said Gregory Musick of Kaufer's Religious Supplies, according to KIRO.
He added, "Everybody likes a baby. They never steal the wise men or camels or anything like that. It's always baby Jesus."
Pastor James Carney of the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church in Washington said the church's baby Jesus was stolen from the manger last year.
"It was as tacky, as cheap, as garage sale baby Jesus, mom and dad as you could get," he said.
