The baby Jesus is missing from many nativity scenes, and ABC's “Good Morning America” makes fun of a church's decision to install a GPS on their tiny savior.
On Dec. 14, “Good Morning America” featured a story about churches fighting back against thieves who steal the baby Jesus from outdoor nativity scenes. Instead of seriously underscoring a pattern of crime, the network sent out a reporter to pilfer a wise man, and test the satellite tracking system, all while playing “spy” themed music.
When GMA anchors, Kate Snow and Bill Weir teased the upcoming story, they couldn't contain their giggles. “We can't even say it without laughing,” said Snow. “But they're using GPS to track them down.” she quipped. “Baby Jesus LoJack,” snickered Weir.
Reporter David Wright added to the story by “testing” the GPS system. Weir was quick to point out that, “He was respectful; just stole a wise man.” So theft is ok, as long as it's not Jesus.
All “respect” ended there as Weir likened the innocent “test” to a more serious car chase. “It wasn't too long before the police were hot on his tail tracking him down with the latest in satellite technology,” he explained. “Big brother is watching baby Jesus there… and it's a warning to all you punks out there,” said Weir.
To get an insider's perspective, the network interviewed [1] a clergy member whose church installed the GPS on its own plastic Messiah. “We'll pray for the person who stole it, but it wouldn't hurt to follow him home and find out where it is,” said father Joe Ciccarello, of the
The cherished image of an infant Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph, and three wise men symbolizes a crucial event that millions of Americans celebrate each year on Christmas day. The blatant removal of the focal point of that scene is more than a crime to Ciccarello; it was disrespect. “It's crossing the line…” he said.