A controversial faceless nativity scene in Brussels became the target of theft when thieves stole the infant Jesus figurine, exposing how progressive artistic choices in public religious displays spark backlash and raise serious questions about security, tradition, and the boundaries of inclusive representation.
Quick Take
- The stolen figurine came from a deliberately controversial nativity display featuring cloth figures with no facial features, designed to promote religious inclusivity
- The theft occurred amid intense social media backlash from conservative critics, including Belgium’s center-right political leadership
- Baby Jesus thefts from nativity scenes represent a documented recurring phenomenon during the Christmas season across multiple countries
- Authorities replaced the figurine and increased monitoring, but the incident raises broader questions about public funding of divisive religious art
Controversial Design Sparked Immediate Backlash
Artist Victoria-Maria Geyer created the Brussels nativity scene with cloth figures deliberately stripped of facial features—no eyes, noses, or mouths. Geyer, a self-professed devout Catholic, intended this design to allow “every Catholic, regardless of their background or origins can identify themselves” in the nativity story. The City of Brussels and local Catholic Church selected her work through their annual tradition for the 2025 Christmas season display at the historic Grand Place.
The artistic choice immediately generated fierce social media criticism. Georges-Louis Bouchez, head of Belgium’s center-right MR party in the ruling coalition, publicly attacked the work on social media, stating the cloth Christ “in no way represent the spirit of Christmas” and compared the faceless figures to “zombie-like” people found at train stations. This political criticism amplified conservative concerns that progressive artistic choices were undermining traditional religious representation in publicly-funded displays.
Theft Reflects Pattern of Christmas Season Vandalism
The November 28-29 theft of the infant Jesus figurine is not an isolated incident. Baby Jesus thefts from nativity scenes represent an “enduring and illegal practice” that occurs annually during the Christmas season, with thefts targeting outdoor public and private displays across multiple countries. These thefts are typically carried out by teenagers seeking pranks, though motivations vary—some steal for resale, while others relocate figurines to unexpected locations as elaborate jokes.
Organizers confirmed that other baby Jesus figurines have been stolen or broken from the Brussels nativity display in previous years. A documented precedent occurred in December 2021 when thieves stole the baby Jesus from a nativity scene in Preston, Lancashire. The figurine was eventually found and returned before Christmas Day. This recurring pattern demonstrates how Christmas nativity displays remain vulnerable targets for seasonal theft and vandalism regardless of artistic design.
Authorities Replace Figurine Amid Investigation
Belgian authorities responded by replacing the stolen figurine in the crib and announced increased monitoring of the display. However, organizers did not implement additional physical security measures beyond closer surveillance, suggesting a balance between protecting the artwork and maintaining public accessibility during the busy Christmas market season, which attracts over 4 million annual visitors.
Belgian authorities remain “mystified” by the theft, with no clear suspects or leads publicly identified. The investigation status remains unclear. Artist Geyer reported that social media sentiment has paradoxically shifted from predominantly negative to increasingly positive following the theft, suggesting the incident may have generated sympathy for her artistic vision among some community members.
Belgian authorities are mystified over a brazen theft over the weekend from a Christmas Nativity scene of an icon of infant Jesus Christ that had been widely scorned online, the… https://t.co/VrF0feyjh7
— Newser (@Newser) December 2, 2025
The Brussels nativity theft underscores the tension between artistic expression and community values in publicly-funded religious displays. While progressive institutions champion inclusive representation through unconventional artistic choices, conservative critics argue that such approaches undermine traditional religious imagery and alienate believers who expect recognizable depictions of sacred figures. The incident raises legitimate questions about institutional accountability when selecting divisive artwork for prominent public spaces during significant cultural and religious observances.
Sources:
Controversial Infant Jesus Stolen from Belgian Nativity Scene – ABC News International
Baby Jesus Thefts from Nativity Scenes – Fox 29 Philadelphia
