Christmas Programs Begin—Psalms and Songs

BY NICOLE KLIEST

Every year, the Keep Christ in Christmas project displays a nativity scene at the corner of PCH and Webb Way. Featuring beautiful hand-carved figures from Europe, the display has become a longstanding tradition within the community, and the site for Sunday holiday festivities.
Last December, residents were dismayed when the Christ Child figure was stolen from its manger. Three weeks ago, the figure was found, but what had happened to it remains a mystery.
Longtime Malibuite Bob Sutton has been active with Keep Christ in Christmas for over 40 years and is currently in charge of the creche scene figures.
“There was a lady walking with her dog,” Sutton said. “She looked into a garage and saw the Infant Jesus. She had known it was stolen, so she took the statue and brought it over to Our Lady of Malibu [Church].”
While this appeared to be a substantial break-through in the case, Sutton said he was disappointed when it turned out to be a dead end.
“When we found out it was in Our Lady of Malibu, we hurried over,” Sutton said. “The management told me the story, but wouldn't tell me whose garage it was in. We couldn’t get it out of the pastor either.”
Sutton had filed a theft report after the figure was stolen, so he called sheriff’s detective Matt Dunn and informed him of the situation. Dunn was able to obtain the woman’s information, however, she would not tell him in whose garage the wood figure was found.
“We can’t find out who found it, and there’s no recourse,” Sutton said. “Why it is a secret, nobody knows. It’s a big-time mystery, and it was very painful for us because giving funds these days is low, and we have tapped all of our resources.”
When the Christ Child figure was returned, there was significant damage. The fingers were broken off, the platform was broken and the neck was missing a big chunk. In the meantime, KCIC is displaying a plastic version of the Infant Jesus.
“These [original] statues are made of larch wood and are from Europe,” Sutton said. “They were purchased about 50 years ago. and the baby Jesus would now run from $12,000 to $15,000. The restoration would probably be around $1000.”
The group does not have the funds to restore the Jesus statue now but they plan to have the work done after Christmas. In the meantime, “double security” has been placed on the creche scene that heralds the holidays.