The Great Manger Heist
Two brand new manger scenes were donated to our local church,
One went on the minister’s desk the other took the organ as its perch.
The idea was to provide a scene that was both merciful and mild.
But when the organist came to practice on Tuesday night there was no holy child.
No babe was laid in the manger meek to receive the gifts from kings,
No baby to offer love and light or the joy that the season brings.
When a ransom note was found it was circulated through the staff,
“Will return the one inch Son of God in exchange for a plastic calf.”
What cad could have committed this crime and done this awful deed?
Who could have cold heartedly stolen hope from this world of need?
“What should we do?” asked the organist to the church’s secretary,
“We need to restore the Holy family and calm the heart of Mary.”
The secretary looked worried as this news caused her own heart to sink,
Now for the first time in many years someone had asked for her to think.
The choir director offered up, “Let’s give in, it’s only a plastic cow,
I don’t see how giving one calf away could hurt anything anyhow.”
“We should not negotiate with terrorist.” Said Sam the custodian,
“If we give in to their petty demands our troubles would just begin.”
“Then let’s organize a search party to look for the wayward child,
We will thwart the plans of this prankster who will forever be reviled.”
“What is all of this about?” Asked the minister as he came into the room,
The organist told him about the babe and the note of impending doom.
“So we’ve decided to work together as a team to bring the baby home,
Every square inch of the church will be covered with a fine-toothed comb.”
“As a team!” the minister exclaimed, “Well that’s a change long over due,
It’s good to see the four of you working together as a single crew.”
“It’s been too long since you pulled as one with the goal of finding Christ,
I think you’ll find that the rewards are great while solving this baby heist.
“Before I send you on your mission let us all join hands in prayer,
It’s so wonderful to see you brought together it shows how much you care,”
“Let us pray for guidance from the Lord before this search begins,”
So they didn’t notice as they bowed that his Mary had given birth to twins.
And so he sent his staff into the night to find the newborn King,
Then as he returned the baby to the manger he began to sing.
He was then struck with inspiration and he added to his plan,
And so they found the missing baby in the arms of a fourth wise man.
Copyright © Tony Lane | Year Posted 2011
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