Nativity scene in iconic P.E.I. Christmas display damaged

The man behind an iconic Christmas lightdisplay in North Rustico, P.E.I.,says he can't make sense of what he discovered Monday morning part of his nativity scene was destroyed.

The nativity scenehas been a prominentpart of Gallant'sdisplay since he started it 30 years agotohonour his son after he died.

"[The door]never budged in Hurricane Dorian, so I can't see it coming off by itself," said James Gallant.

"It's hard to know what to make of it.I can't see people destroying it on purpose ... Somebody would have to hate Jesus, I think."

A largePlexiglasdoor and angel from the nativity wereboth cracked and lying on the ground, along with a nearbysnowflake.

'Such a Scrooge'

Kathleen Gillislives nearby and noticedthe damage Mondaymorning, and notified Gallant.

Gillissaysshe suspects her neighbour hasonce again been the victim of a crime.Three years ago, someone stole Gallant's donation box, whichvisitors fill with moneyfor the Children's Wish Foundation.

"It's a bummer that somebody would be such a Scrooge this time of year," said Gillis.

"The work that he puts into this every year, the hours, the maintenance of it, and the joy this brings to everybody to see the cars coming down our street all the time, it's great.And then to see someone do this to his hard work, it saddens me."

Gallant built the nativity scene himselfand estimates it suffered about $1,000 in damages.

He saidhe does plan to repair it eventually, but said he likely won't have timebefore Christmas.

"There's always people out there willing to help.Maybe this will be one of those opportunities for them," saidGillis.

Gallant saidhe has contacted theRCMP and hopes they may be able to get to the bottom of what happened.

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