Too funny.
Our colombian friend related a custom they practice over there. When people set up their nativity displays in their homes, their friends come by and take the Baby Jesus. Jesus remains kidnapped until Christmas Eve when the friends return the Baby to the manger and visit with the family from whom they stole it in the first place. The point is that Jesus doesn’t show up in the manger until His birth so it is right to have an empty manger. Everyone enjoys the company and it makes the season a little gayer.
After telling that at our Bible study group, the kids of the families enjoyed that custom. They surprised more than one family who, not being in our Bible study, hadn’t heard of the tradition. LOL! Many phone calls and explanations were made that year!
I too have heard of that tradition. You're right... we really should be putting the baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas eve.