Last year this nativity scene was made by wood sculptor Thomas Hildenbrand from Germany representing the links between Edinburgh and its twin town of Munich.  He said  "I tried to incorporate the basic elements from this relief into the new nativity scene, such as the garments that almost completely envelop Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, or the fortress in the background, which is also iconic in Edinburgh." Behind the figures a relief of Edinburgh Castle can be seen.  From its position on The Mound part of the castle is visible after King David I started to build the first castle of stone about 900 years ago with the oldest part, St Margaret’s Chapel still in use.  So in a way it could have been called David’s City.  This tenuous link is to “Once in Royal David’s City” which is today’s carol.

Once in Royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.


He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.........


Carol 5