As Christmas celebrations lit up Colorado, an unusual incident added a layer of intrigue to the holiday season. A Baby Jesus statue, stolen from a nativity scene in Fort Collins’ Old Town Square, has been returned under mysterious circumstances, accompanied by a handwritten apology note.
The Fort Collins Police Department initially reported the theft on Facebook, sharing a blurry security camera image of a young man holding the statue. The post’s caption read: “This Grinch tried to ruin Christmas by stealing the Baby Jesus from the Old Town Square nativity scene. If you recognize this suspect, please notify Officer Brittingham.”
A surprising return
Days later, the case took a surprising turn. The stolen statue reappeared at the Poudre Fire Authority Station, along with an apology note taped to its face. The Fort Collins Police Department shared an Instagram post featuring two firefighters holding the recovered Baby Jesus, bringing an unexpected resolution to the story.
The handwritten note read, “I am really sorry. I made a dumb mistake at the moment. It won’t happen again.” While the heartfelt gesture brought relief to the community, the thief’s identity remains unknown. Notably, the businesses that own the nativity scene have chosen not to file formal charges against the individual.
Social media reacts to the redemption arc
The saga’s conclusion ignited a flurry of reactions online, with netizens expressing both amusement and astonishment.
“I can’t believe the thief actually returned it to a fire station. That’s next-level irony,” one commenter remarked. Another added, “This should be national news – the drama, the apology note, the fire station!”
The apology note itself became a focal point of speculation. “Looks like a non-dominant college kid apology to me,” observed one user. Meanwhile, another confessed, “I was so invested in this story from start to finish that I’d forgotten I don’t even live in Colorado. Still, so happy the town got its Baby Jesus back.”
Humorous comments also poured in. “Holy baby savers,” one user cheered, while another joked, “This reminds me of Chris Isaak’s song ‘Help Me Baby Jesus.’” A commenter quipped, “I see no crime here—just a holiday misstep made right.”
A town restored
While the thief’s identity and motive remain shrouded in mystery, the return of the Baby Jesus statue has brought a sense of closure and even humor to the Fort Collins community. The incident serves as a unique reminder of the holiday spirit, redemption, and the power of a heartfelt apology—even when delivered with a dose of irony.
