Chained in a Manger

CHICAGO -- On the Saturday morning after Thanksgiving, a group of carpenters and tradesmen donated their time and energies to construct a one-of-a-kind display honoring the birth of Jesus Christ in downtown Chicago.

It's "one-of-a-kind" because all others in the world famous Daley Center Plaza annual holiday display fail to mention whose birthday Christmas celebrates.

Every year, the "God Squad," a group of volunteer tradesmen, erect one of the world's largest nativity scenes around Thanksgiving and take it down on the last day of December.

The God Squad, headed and financed by retired businessman and Catholic activist Jim Finnegan of Barrington and business owner and founder of the Walsh Forum radio program Dick Walsh, have had to make a few changes in their project's construction.

Several years ago, someone stole the Christ Child out of the creche's manger, launching a citywide search. The next day, following an anonymous tip, the baby was found in a Greyhound bus station locker.

Now the Christ Child is securely chained to the manger and instead of angels protecting the baby, Chicago Police stand guard. [Source] [Via Matt C. Abbott]

Chained in a manger,
Attached to his bed,
The little Lord Jesus,
Anchored there instead

The links prevent some guy,
Remove Jesus where he lay
The Little Lord Jesus,
Fastened securely today

They rattle and jangle,
Chains surely wont break,
And Little Lord Jesus,
Some Scrooge will not take

I chain thee, Lord Jesus
Security apply,
And stay by my side,
A bolt through your thigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask thee to stay
Alarm system manger,
Tripwire in the hay

The extra loud siren,
Screams through the night air
The Little Lord Jesus,
Electrified - so beware!