Decades ago, we had a daily subscription to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. On of my favorite columnists, then and now, is Bill McClellan. In December of 1994, he wrote a column I have never forgotten, even thirty years later.
"Great Expectations: Baby Jesus is Anticipated Shortly at West County Home," McClellan told the story of the Ted Laspe and his family on December 16, 1994. Every year Ted put up an old plastic Nativity scene in front of their home. Despite his declining health, Ted kept busy helping out neighbors on Sparrowhawk Lane. He loved Christmas and wouldn't stop making preparations, including putting up the Nativity set.
After the 1993 holidays, the Baby Jesus was missing. There was a note in the crib addressed to Ted stating that the Baby Jesus was on vacation and will return on Christmas Eve 1994. Of course, Ted thought one of his neighbors played a joke, but when he asked around, no one knew anything about it.
In his column above, McClellan explained what happened next:
The first post card came in February. It was from Colorado. "Having a great time. The mountains are wonderful close to heaven! Gotta go. Hi to Liz. Love, Jesus." A week later, another post card came, also from Colorado. Two weeks after that, another post card came, this one from Phoenix. The following week, Laspe got a post card from California. A couple of weeks after that, a post card came from Wisconsin, and that was followed by a card from Minnesota, and that was followed by a card from Iowa, and then one from Arkansas. All were signed, "Love Jesus." Most promised something like, "See you on Christmas Eve." Although the messages were always similar, the handwriting was not always identical. Somebody was playing an elaborate game. In August, the first photographs came. There were pictures of Laspe's baby Jesus in the mountains of Utah, pictures of baby Jesus sitting against a plaque in Ogden, Utah. Laspe, his family and his friends were beside themselves.
Ted Laspe died in October that year. It's the next post card, to Ted's wife Liz this time, that makes me tear up every time I read the story again.
The first column ended there, with the anticipation of a miracle for the Laspe family. Loyal readers of McClellan's column were eagerly waiting for a update; I certainly was!
Baby Jesus's return made the front page of the paper Christmas morning! Virgil Tipton, Post Dispatch reporter, got the scoop. He reported that the special statuette was delivered by taxi about 6 pm on Christmas Eve. The Baby Jesus was worn, weathered, and accompanied by a small suitcase of souvenirs from his travels.
Screenshot of Post Dispatch Dec. 19, 1994 (ProQuest Historical Newspapers, St. Louis Public Library)
I've never forgotten about Ted and the Baby Jesus. Who was responsible? I think that's one of those mysteries that is best left unsolved.
Another story I reprinted with permission - Three Old Men Visit Fatherless Child - was another time a newspaper brought tears to my eyes.
Sign up for The Internet's Best Bulletin, for occasional emails with quick links to the latest blog post(s), key news articles, fun cartoons or memes to share, and other interesting bits – a Karenopedia of information. I don’t sell anything or share your email, so you’ll only receive my email. Scroll down to sign up today!
Comments