Archbishop Cushley blessed Edinburgh's new Nativity scene at The Mound on Sunday.

The blessing was part of the city's Advent Carol Concert which began at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens.

An ecumenical blessing service was held to mark the installation of a “striking, stop you in your tracks” #Nativity scene on The Mound in #Edinburgh. Rev Moira McDonald @OldParishCors joined Most Revd Leo Cushley @archedinburgh and others for yesterday's joyful occasion. pic.twitter.com/ztqaMG1CYe

— Church of Scotland (@churchscotland) December 4, 2023

The nativity scene is by sculptor Thomas Hildenbrand from Munich and is a partnership between Edinburgh and Munich (twin cities).

Reinhard Cardinal Marx, Archbishop of  Munich and Freising, wrote to Archbishop Cushley, saying: "I would like to thank Archbishop Cushley for the initiative behind the Nativity scene, which ahs led him to Munich, the tin city of Edinburgh.

"I thanks the Christian Churches involved, as well as the private donors, for this sign of togetherness." Read the full letter here.

Archbishop Cushley said: "We hope the Nativity will be welcomed, but more than that, we hope it will be recognised as a gesture from the people of one European city to another.

"The birth of Jesus was greeted by angels singing 'Peace on earth and goodwill to all!'.  As we look forward to Christmas, we can pray and work for that peace to be real in the world again."