The annual nativity scene in St. John’s Cathedral in Den Bosch opened on Sunday afternoon. Builders have again done their best to make the life-size nativity scene as beautiful as possible. The first enthusiastic visitors immediately went to take a look after the opening. “I like that they make something different every year,” says a regular visitor.
It is again beautifully decorated in the Den Bosch Sint-Jan full of shepherds, animals and of course Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus. The large nativity scene has been a tradition for years and visitors are amazed. “It had been a long time since I had been here so I thought: I should go and look at the nativity scene again,” says one of the visitors.
According to him, the nativity scene has changed over the years. “It is completely different from how I remember it. The last time you walked past it and now you really walk through it. I think it is very beautiful now, I must say. More beautiful than I remember,” says the man.
“It’s St. John’s, as true Den Bosch residents you have to be there.”
A couple that goes to the nativity scene every year is also surprised. “I always go and watch it every year,” says the woman. “I’m also going there again with my grandchildren, they have to see this too. It’s St. John’s, as real residents of Den Bosch you have to be there,” she laughs.
Another woman took a Polish student to St. John’s. “The daughter of friends from Warsaw is studying in Eindhoven. We are a kind of foster family now, so we went to the nativity scene with her. I can see that she enjoys it immensely. It is fantastic,” says the woman.
Another visitor is there with her son. “It’s part of raising children, but it’s also just a nice outing on a rainy day,” she says with her son in her arms. He finds it all a bit exciting and he doesn’t know where to look. “I see the shepherd,” he shouts, pointing. And although it is quite educational, mother sometimes finds it difficult. “Sinterklaas, Santa Claus and also the nativity scene. It’s all quite complicated to explain.”
“I’m done with that nativity scene.”
She is not the only one who wants to teach her son about religion. Even more parents explain to their children what exactly the nativity scene entails. “We give something from all kinds of religions to the children,” says a mother. “Yes, and we also have a book from Jesus,” her daughter shouts.
Most visitors couldn’t wait until the nativity scene was opened to the public again. Yet not everyone is very enthusiastic. “I’ve seen it many times before, but my granddaughter wanted to go,” says a woman. “It wasn’t necessary for me. I’m done with that nativity scene.”