Leaders of the All Saints Anglican Church in Nelson Bay have expressed disappointment after Lego-themed figures of Mary and Baby Jesus were stolen from their nativity display on Christmas Day.
Parish priest Brett Watterson said tips from the community suggest the life-size figures were taken between 1pm and 5pm on Christmas Day. The display, featuring a novelty Lego theme for the first time, had been a hit with the community, with many stopping to take photos.
Watterson noted that the Joseph figure was left behind, possibly because it was fitted with a staff and more cumbersome to remove. He said the church plans to report the theft to police, adding that the figures have little monetary value but are meaningful to the community.
Community members shared their disappointment on social media, with one commenter saying, 'What is wrong with people? So sad.' Another wrote, 'Now that's just so sad as it was a fantastic display this year.'
Watterson urged anyone with information to contact the church and asked the thieves to return the figures. Later on Friday, the mannequin used for Mary was discreetly returned to the front of the church, but the church does not plan to rebuild the scene.
