Half of a Nativity scene stolen from church
It was a cowardly deed that even Scrooge would never commit.
Around Dec. 12, someone stole half of a Nativity scene that Holland Road Baptist Church in Danville puts up every year during the Christmas season. The Rev. James Mayes, pastor at the church, says the figures aren’t worth much monetarily, but they hold strong sentimental value.
“It was about 40 years old and the church used it for years and years,” Mayes said Monday.
Holland Road Baptist Church, where Mayes has been a pastor for about 17 years, has about 75 members.
The thieves took the baby Jesus, the manger and one of the lambs, Mayes said. To replace the stolen figures, a church member pieced together a makeshift manger and replaced the baby Jesus with a doll to keep the Nativity scene up. Mayes said the church will decide before next Christmas whether to replace the entire Nativity.
The scene includes a light with a drop cord to illuminate the figures and a timer to turn the lights on and off at given times. The drop cord and timer are probably worth more than the plastic figures, but Mayes hopes the thief or thieves think about what they have done.
“You’d do better to have Jesus in your heart than to have him outside somewhere,” Mayes said of the act.
Mayes said he hasn’t contacted police and doesn’t want anyone to get in trouble over the incident. But hopefully, he said, their conscience will bother them and they may rethink what they have done.
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Reader Reactions
normal_person
I know the Pastor of Holland Rd Baptist he is good friends with our pastor at Faith Baptist in Ringgold. I am not in a position of authority at FBC but i will submit to you that the person (or persons) would be welcomed at ether of these churches. You see, True Christians have a love for people that unbelievers do not know. We want people to be saved. We here on earht put degrees on Sin for instance murder is worse than stealing. however the Bible teaches that God not being a resptor of persons is not going to look down on the murder any more that the person that stole from the church. Any one of no matter background can come to Christ we as Christians should not shut our doors on anyone and love anyone (as hard as it may be) that we meet. but to often love in our baptist churches has Hate mixed in. But that would not be the case with Bro Mayes i know and hope that other churches in this city are the same
I’m curious. What makes the deed “cowardly” as the article descibed? One might argue that purloining a figure of the Divine is anything but cowardly.
I just feel that when ANYONE steals ANYTIME it is sad. Thieves know stealing is wrong. Still they steal. Liars know lying is wrong still lie.
At any given moment a liar tells a lie,
the truth is revealed within the lie.
For every item a thief just takes there is probably a way he could get a similar item simply by asking for it.
I think we can make it without these representations.
HELLO EVERYONE I HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS BLESSED AND TO THE THEIF WHO TOOK OUR STATUES OF WORSHIP I HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS WAS THE MOST BLESSED AND YOU WERE IN MY PRAYERS AND STILL ARE PLEASE ENJOY OUR SYMBOLS OF THE LORD AS MUCH AS WE DID AND PLEASE COME TO CHURCH IF YOU WISH TO RETURN THESE STATUES YOU CAN WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF BEING IN TROUBLE BECAUSE CHRIST FORGIVES
That’s right! Spread that Christmas joy around randall.
There is still time for the evil doer to return them. I hope they do. It is Christmas, after all!
THIS IS A TERIBBLE THING. THE CRIME WAS AIMED AT THE MOST PURE PLACE ON EARTH PLEASE RETURN OUR STATUES OF WORSHIP GOD BLESS DANVILLE POLICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT THIS CHRISTMAS WE NEED THE SKILLS OF THESE PROFESIONAL LAWMEN IN THIS SITUATION
I personally know several people who attend Holland Road Baptist Church, and yes they would let this person come to the next sermon. They have never turned anyone away. You know people do make mistakes and more than likely it was just some kids pulling a prank, but ....those church doors are always open to anyone who would like to come and learn, and listen to the messages that are given there
ok…
Assuming Holland Road Baptist Church will be reviewing these godanriver messages…..
——Holland Road Baptist Church , would you consider allowing this thief into your church on your upcoming Sermon?
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