Stolen Baby Jesus Replaced At Church Circle Nativity By 5-year-old

KINGSPORT — The theft of Baby Jesus from the Kingsport Nativity Scene last week made 5-year-old Sam Teague so sad that he cried, but before the tears had dried Sam was already planning corrective action. After searching two days for a proper replacement, Sunday evening Sam's grandmother Patty Teague, and his great-grandmother Ruth Flanary, took him back to Church Circle to put a new Baby Jesus in the manger. Sam also included a note for the next thieves, asking them to reconsider the theft of Jesus because, "We love him and the real Jesus loves us." Patty took Sam downtown several times this holiday season to see the Christmas lights and visit the Nativity scene. "He loves the Nativity scene and the story of the birth of Jesus, so he looks forward to seeking it," Patty told the Times News Monday.