Custodian Finds A Miracle Baby In A Church Manger
November 25, 2015
A Manger Reveals A Christmas Miracle Come Early
Holy Child Jesus Church in NY heard cries coming from their nativity scene. There they miraculously found an abandoned newborn in the manger.
Year after year it seems as though the Christmas craze arrives sooner that the year before. Lights go up, stores roll out decorations, and radio stations switch to Christmas carols earlier and earlier. Some love it, some hate it. But regardless of where you stand in the debate of “how soon is too soon for Christmas cheer,” I think we can all agree that it’s never too soon for a Christmas miracle. And God delivered one early this year in the manger at the Holy Child Jesus Church in Richmond Hill, New York.
The custodian, Jose, returned from his lunch break and got back to his duties. From the back of the church, he glanced appreciatively at the nativity scene a few church workers had finished setting up just that morning. Then he picked up a broom and started sweeping. That’s when he heard the tiny cry of a baby.
[caption id="attachment_21113" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Credit: Father Christopher Heanue[/caption]At first, he thought nothing of it. He assumed someone must be in the church with a baby. But as he looked around, he realized there was no one else there. So he followed the baby’s cries, which led him to the nativity scene that had just been installed. And he found the surprise of a lifetime!
[caption id="attachment_21114" align="aligncenter" width="342"] Credit: Father Christopher Heanue[/caption]There in the manger, right next to the Virgin Mary lay a small baby wrapped in towels, so new that his umbilical cord was still attached! The astounded Jose notified Father Christopher Ryan Heanue, who immediately called 911.
[caption id="attachment_21115" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Credit: Father Christopher Heanue[/caption]The child was transported to the hospital, where doctors checked him out and found him to be just fine. He is now with Child Services while police conduct an investigation to find the mother. They have a surveillance video of the woman entering and leaving the church, as well as purchasing towels at a local market.
[caption id="attachment_21116" align="aligncenter" width="598"] Credit: NY Daily News[/caption]"I believe that when this woman came into our church to find refuge, she found in this nativity scene a place for her son a place where he would be safe," Father Heanue said.
There is a Safe Haven law in the state that stipulates an unwanted baby can be brought to a safe place -- churches, police stations, firehouses and hospitals -- with no questions asked. However, police say that because the mother did not notify anyone of the baby’s presence, she still may face charges. The church suggests that we should show grace:
“We can’t imagine the desperation she must have gone through, but placing the baby in the manger where Jesus is born ... she wanted him to be close to Christ,” Brooklyn-Queens Diocese spokeswoman Rocio Fidalgo said. “We may never meet her, but our prayers are with her.”
Though it’s hard to imagine why a mother would abandon her newborn baby, we must try not to rush to judgement. Instead, let us pray for her. Sadly, we have seen cases where babies have been abandoned in terrible places -- found in boxes on the street, in plastic bags, and even toilets. But this mother followed God in an effort to be sure her baby would be safe. Father Heanue says,
“God works in mysterious ways. (The child’s mother) must have been in a difficult place in her life. She found in this crèche ... this empty place where Jesus will be in a few weeks ... as a home for her son.”
At least one parishioner has already offered to adopt the baby, who some of the congregation have started calling John the Baptist. Father Heanue feels this would be a wonderful blessing, since “this child was ... a kind of gift to the church in a poetic way.” And we know that this sweet boy, found in a manger, is already being watched over by our Heavenly Father!
We often never know the reason a baby is abandoned. So be sure to read this touching story of a woman who is reunited with the mother who abandoned her as a baby in a Burger King restroom, and finally gets to hear why!
WATCH: Miracle Baby Found In A Church Manger
h/t: BuzzFeed / NY Daily News
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Fox News
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.