Metz Creche

Inside the Metz cathedral are some beautiful pieces of art work. Some of them are stained glasses windows, some are statues. One of Heinrich's favorites are the Triptychs. These are small worship shrines that can be opened or closed. The doors that open are shaped like the center portion and often have very decorative upper edges.

Heinrich was visiting during the Christmas season and found a niche of the cathedral where a very large nativity scene or crèche had been constructed. In the center was Baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph.

Heinrich read a banner that was on the side of the presentation. It described how the crèche changed during the holiday season. Different characters were added and then removed as the holidays passed. The program is called the evolution of the nativity.

 

The week that Heinrich visited was the week that the shepherds had been added to the scene. The following week the shepherds were removed and the Wise men were added to the scene. It helped tell the story of the Birth of Christ and made it exciting to see what was going to be added week by week.