While making my way to the main post office here in the J.C. today, I meandered through the downtown/Grove Street part of town. As I passed City Hall, I notice that there's a manger scene on the lawn in front of the building.
A manger scene ... at City Hall.
So imagine my (lack of) surprise when I realized the babe in swaddling cloth was missing, replaced by a cardboard sign whose message started with the phrase "Ascend to Heaven!" and finished by delegating -- until such time as the Christ child returns -- all authority to the First Amendment.
As I began to make my way on to the post office, somewhat proud of the protest of the most shoddy-looking manger scene I've ever witnessed (the three wise men all had holes in their backs where you can reach in and change their bulbs), I had the following conversation with a guy walking his two hounds:
Guy: "Is Jesus dead?"
Me: "Jesus is gone."
Guy: "Oh. When they first made this display, because of the straw, she [points to dog] climbed up and laid down next to the baby Jesus."
Me: "Ah. Somebody took the baby Jesus and replaced him with a sign."
Guy: "Maybe we should pray for his safe return."
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