You'd think that anyone with a basic knowledge of those tough Old Testament retribution stories we learned about in Sunday school would think twice before stealing from a backyard creche or a church during Christmas season.

But thieves will stop at nothing these days, and police have been especially busy again this holiday season investigating "kidnappings" of the baby Jesus. Of the figurines being stolen, it is the most popular target of thieves.For two years in a row, Randy Campbell of York has had a baby Jesus figurine stolen from the manger in his front yard. Last December, he received media coverage by putting a sign in his yard asking for the figure's return after someone took the baby Jesus from the creche. A few days later, the unknown culprit tossed the figure back into the yard.Campbell, who has been putting up a creche scene for 12 straight years, says he's sick of the stealing and that this may be the last year for his yard display. He has thought of putting an electric cord out to "shock the hell" out of the culprits but backed off that option for fear of getting sued.In Alleghany, New York, a front yard Nativity has been a Christmas tradition at Edwin and Ann Becker's home for much of their 52 years of marriage. Last week, someone stole the baby Jesus, and only Mary and Joseph remain.Edwin, a devout Lutheran who sells Christmas wreaths, feels Jesus' birth is the most important thing about Christmas.Last year, the baby Jesus and a sheep were stolen, but as in the York case, the thief eventually wised up and threw it back on the property from his passing car.Stores in Fargo, North Dakota, have not been displaying manger scenes with the infant Messiah. They are kept behind glass or locked away in storerooms, out of the reach of shoplifters.Alabama church members recently arrived at Coker United Methodist to discover their outdoor nativity scene, including baby Jesus, manger and the angel, all missing.Pastor Woody Jones explained that in some beliefs, people wait until Christmas night to put the baby Jesus in the nativity scene, but he's hoping the figurine will be returned before Christmas.Churches are getting creative in their approach to combating thefts, some even going so far as to plant GPS tracking devices inside their baby Jesus figurines to catch thieves.If and when a culprit attempts to steal them, the device sends a text message or computer alert letting pastors know what's going on.One security company started its Nativity program "Saving Jesus" while others referred to it as "GPS Jesus."It's a sad commentary on the times we live when churches and individual Christians must resort to anti-theft devices to protect their Nativity displays.By JIM ZBICKtneditor@tnonline.com