Christmas Eve 2009. Firemen's Park. By Paul Goldfinger

By Paul Goldfinger, editor  @Blogfinger

With the theft of the Jesus statue from the nativity scene in Firemen’s Park yesterday, the Ocean Grove Fire Department has been left wondering why this has occurred and what to do about the situation.  According to Mr. Bob McEwan, the secretary-treasurer of the OGFD, there is no way that the $600 hand-painted “work of art” can be replaced by Christmas. The firemen are looking for some sort of replacement that they would position in the crèche on Christmas Eve when their annual Santa celebration event occurs. Bob remains hopeful that the star of the show will be returned before Christmas.

Bob was more focused on the display’s missing figurine than he was on any motives for the crime.  He thought that it was probably a prank — a “senseless” act.  He said that the theft would not interrupt a tradition that has been going on for many years—perhaps back to the 1940’s.  Bob  remembers the event in the park when he was a kid, but the addition of the nativity has been part of it only since 1997.  When the Jesus statue was stolen in 2009, it was the first time there ever was a problem.

A neighbor who lives across the street from the park said, “It’s a shame that we have to live in fear of theft, muggings and other crimes.”  He thought that this was  a crime of opportunity and that the economy could be a factor in motivating some people to steal.  He said that he always calls the police when he sees something worrisome. “Let the police decide if it’s important or not. Don’t worry about political correctness.”

Another neighbor suggested that someone might be “resentful” of Ocean Grove and that this target might have been specifically chosen to dampen our spirits.  She thought it might be “a gotcha kind of thing.”

It does seem odd that the Jesus figure was the one targeted, while no other parts of the display were stolen or damaged. It would be difficult for someone to fence the item. Maybe  the thieves were hired by a collector, or maybe this is some sort of anti-Christian message or a bizarre political statement.

Mr. McEwan is taking a more positive approach as he focuses on Christmas Eve at 6 pm when hundreds of gift bags will be handed out to kids and adults. The firemen prepare 700 bags filled with apples, oranges, cookies, candy and special treats for the kids. They also take their goodies to nursing homes and other places that will welcome their good will. Nothing will diminish the joyful spirit of Christmas Eve in Ocean Grove, even if some child’s doll is substituted in the manger.