A yob snapped the hand from a statue of Jesus in a "despicable" act of festive vandalism.
The male struck when his group passed a church in a sleepy village on Christmas Eve.
His actions meant that, hours later, parishioners arriving to celebrate the birth of Christ were handed the gift of a £500 bill.
Four males were passing Our Lady Help of Christian Church at 11.50pm on Christmas Eve when the incident unfolded.
One climbed behind the statue and another swung from one of Jesus' arms - breaking the hand from the statue.
A CCTV image released by police shows one of the group posing with the statue, arms aloft, as though they are celebrating victory in a boxing bout.
The incident took place in Tarleton, a small village just outside Southport .
West Lancashire borough councillor, Cllr Iain Ashcroft, said the statue had been damaged by vandals on several occasions over recent years.
He said: “I’m very upset about this because it seems that it’s not the first time and I find it despicable that people would do this.
“I feel very saddened for those churchgoers who had to see this. Especially at this time of year, I just find it very poor.”
Lancashire Police is appealing for details of the incident.
A spokesperson said: "On Christmas Eve at around 11.50pm four males were walking along Hesketh Lane towards Hesketh Bank, two of the males approached the statue of Jesus at Our Lady Help of Christian Church.
"One male climbed behind the statue whilst the other swung on his right hand causing it to break, that will cost £500 to repair.
"If anyone has any information about the identity of these males or any further CCTV footage of them walking along Hesketh Lane please email 7176@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or tel 101 and quote log number LC-20191226-0917."
