Baby Jesus theft. It’s the stealing of the newborn Christ figurine from nativity scenes, and it happens every Christmas season. Be it a teenage prank, or something more sinister, families, churches and occasionally whole communities don’t see the humor.
For instance, the citizens of Wellington, Florida had the baby Jesus stolen from their community center nativity two years in a row! But they were ready during the next Noel with a creative way to catch a crook.
For Christmas season number three, the life-size baby Jesus came with His own onboard GPS locator. Sheriff’s deputies tracked Him, when He was absconded yet again, to an apartment–where He was found lying face down on a carpet.
Tis the season once again, and the Christ child is missing. There are plenty of lights and life-size Santas and reindeer on the lawn, but where is Jesus?
Lots of people aren’t even looking for Him during this most wonderful time of the year.
But not to worry. We may not all be looking for Christmas, but Christmas is looking for us.
This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10 (NIV)
Remember the first thing God said to Adam and Eve after the fall? They were hiding from Him, and He called to them:
“Where are You?”
Yes, there is a GPS (God’s Positioning Device) inside of each one of us. We have been searched and are fully known (Psalm 139).
God knows EVERYTHING about us—the good, the bad and the ugly—yet He STILL sent His son to redeem us (Romans 5:8).
You did not choose me but I chose you
Jesus – John 15:16a
I’ll say it again, we may not be looking for God, but He is looking for us.
People taking Christ out of Christmas doesn’t change what God did for the world. Through the gift of His son, He showed us ALL how much he loves us (John 3:16).
Yet it is a gift we must be willing to receive
The entire human race was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Sin has diverted the human race into another course, but it has not altered God’s purpose to the slightest degree.
Oswald Chambers
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
27 responses to “GPS Jesus”
I remember those days. It was frustrating, because your posts often made me want to comment, but I could not.
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Lol its fine. Reminds me of months ago when it would automatically block readers comments as spam on my site lol. That was a frustrating time.
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Sorry, Matcha. Somehow your comment went to my spam folder. That doesn’t usually happen ! Thank you for your perspective. I agree, stealing the baby Jesus out of the nativity isn’t a harmless prank.
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How true!
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We must just keep repeating, “Technology is our friend!”
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I just checked my spam folder and found several of your comments on my posts. This really upsets me, as I don’t know why this happens sometimes. Thank you so much for your frequent encouraging comments! God Bless,.
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Thank you, Beth. I am glad you stopped by today, and I’m grateful for your excellent summary of
my post! God’s best to you.
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“Yes, there is a GPS (God’s Positioning Device) inside of each one of us.”. Love this David. In a technology driven world where we almost all carry a GPS via our phone and rely on it to navigate us to our destination, this illustration is an excellent tool for explaining both our yearning for God, our need for Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit pointing us to Him.
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I used to know someone many years ago that would never put the abbreviation for Christmas (x-mas) on anything. I never understood why until years later when I realized using that abbreviation is literally taking the Christ out of Christmas.
It appears people have been trying to do so for many years. In fact, when people tell me they put up Christmas decorations, the first thing I look for is a nativity (with Jesus). If they don’t have one, I ask them where it is or I won’t acknowledge their decorations.
Without Christ in Christmas, we have nothing. No holiday, no beautific future, no salvation.
Teenagers stealing the Jesus from the nativities just further proves that people have been trying to take the Christ out of Christmas. It is not a harmless prank!
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Uh oh! It’s a good thing they can’t steal the joy of the Lord.
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They also took two angels and a reindeer just for good measure!
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Oh we don’t have to look far for a stolen Jesus. He was snatched from our senior community nativity scene 2 years ago!
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Thanks, Pete. Being from Florida, you’ve probably heard about the folks in Wellington. It’s been several years since, however. God Bless.
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Great post again Dave. Yes God is looking for us! Thanks
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Yes ma’am! It’s a cliche, but He really IS the reason for the season.
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Amen. It is all about Jesus, the greatest Treasure and Gift.
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Thank you, Alan. Yes, Christmas without Jesus is like a ship without the sea. And as you said, our “baubles” are so easily shattered. Just ask the richest man in the cemetery.
Blessings to you, always.
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You seem to be right on track David with a theme in posts I have read; that if you take the Christ out of Christmas you are left with not a lot! Whether we like it or not Christ exists and knows each of us intimately, without Him the season is an empty bauble…easily shattered. I love the gps idea!
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What a great post! I was listening to stories on KLOVE about how people’s dogs were taking off with baby Jesus. One lady was so excited when she got it back, she went running through the house shouting, “I’ve found Jesus!” We all need to find Jesus this Christmas season. So bless you abundantly for your messages!
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I’m glad this resonates with you, Jeffrey! I always enjoy hearing your two cents worth.
I’m a sucker for the lights too, actually. Blessings.
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Wow! This is such a joy to start my day! GPS Jesus! People searched for a statue Jesus while the real Jesus is looking for each and every one of us. I especially loved the Genesis verse to illustrate your point.
And, because I’m a sucker for lights, I have to applaud the picture of the house. Let’s face it; people aren’t too different from woodland creatures – we’re attracted by bright, shiny objects.
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Yes, apparently it’s a common prank this time of year. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings.
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Amen, brother. Thanks for your comment. God is the gracious “The Hound of Heaven.” So true!
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I love the line, “Taking Christ out of Christmas won’t change what God did got the world.” Man kind has been trying to life from God or hide him since the beginning, yet He keeps on loving us still. He’s the Hound of Heaven who keeps pursuing us out of love. Thanks and have a great weekend.
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I had no idea so many Baby Jesus’ were stolen each year!! I love the way you link that to God’s unchanging desire to seek us out!!
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Thank you! God bless.
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Love this “GPS Jesus”
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