The Big Little Jesus

Originally Aired: December 22, 1953

Dragnet #227, "The Big Little Jesus," Sergeants Joe Friday and Frank Smith are called away from their Christmas preparations when a priceless religious statue is stolen from the Old Mission Plaza Church, the oldest church in Los Angeles. Father Xavier Rojas reports that the infant Jesus figure from the church's beloved nativity scene has disappeared sometime between the late evening confessions and early morning mass on December 24th. The statue itself is worth only a few dollars, but it has been part of the church's Christmas display for over three decades, deeply cherished by generations of parishioners who have grown up with it.

With less than 24 hours until Christmas Mass and virtually no leads, Friday and Smith begin their investigation by interviewing altar boys and checking pawnshops, knowing the monetary value is minimal but the sentimental significance is immeasurable. Father Rojas emphasizes how devastating the loss is to his simple, faithful congregation, for whom this particular statue represents their only image of the Christ child. As the clock ticks down toward Christmas, the detectives face the challenge of finding a virtually worthless object that means everything to an entire community.

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