A newborn with his umbilical cord still attached has been found lying in a manger at a New York church, police say.

The custodian found the crying infant wrapped in towels in the Holy Child Jesus Church indoor nativity scene he had set up just before his lunch break on Monday, a New York police spokesman said.

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Father Christopher Ryan Heanue, one of the priests at the church, said he and others placed a clean towel around the baby while waiting for paramedics to show up.

“The beautiful thing is that this woman found in this church — which is supposed to be a home for those in need — this home for her child,” Father Heanue said, referring to the person he assumes left the baby there.

“A young couple in our parish would love to adopt this child and keep this gift in our community. It would make a great Christmas miracle.”

Paramedics took the healthy baby to Jamaica Hospital and police are investigating the incident, the police spokesman said.

Under New York state law, a parent may abandon a newborn anonymously at certain designated safe haven locations, as long as the baby is handed over to an appropriate person.

Baby boy found in nativity scene at a church in Queens. Details on @ABC7NY tonight! (Photo: Fr. Christopher Heanue) pic.twitter.com/3Bk4Bhqhkg

— Kristin Thorne (@KristinThorne) November 24, 2015