Christmas Scene History

In 1991, at an EMS (Medical-Social Establishment / Home for the Elderly), I began to build this nativity scene. I must say that starting a nativity scene was not a problem for me. In almost every Alsatian family, a nativity scene, large or small, can be found under the Christmas tree.

It’s the know-how passed down from my father, with a landscape made of paper, rocks, moss, and various materials on 3 square meters, that I simply took as my basic idea and expanded and improved upon year after year.

It has become so popular among the elderly that families flock to admire it as early as St. Nicholas Day. Local school classes also benefit from it, bringing life to this establishment. The Christmas party for the staff's children and the Christmas meal with families culminate in a festive highlight.

The nativity scene evolves almost every year: an additional model, an increasingly larger area, and ever-richer decorations. Even other EMS in the region come to visit.

Twelve years later, I left this institution, taking with me the work of 11 years of effort: the nativity scene.

In December 2002, with the agreement of the pastor at the time, I built my nativity scene in the Temple of Dommartin, to the left of the arch, not in the choir. A little word-of-mouth and people from the parish, as well as local residents, arrived in droves to see this astonishing construction. This will mark 14 Christmases that I have set up my nativity scene in the Temple in Dommartin, my village; it has found its perfect setting there.

Constructed in the choir of the Temple starting in 2003, it has reached its mature grandeur. Yet, almost every year, I have imagined a change, a novelty to delight the visitors. More than 3,000 people have come to see it each year.

Through my work and the many extra hours, I was fortunate to be able to free up time from November to January for this project.