• Genuine Bethlehem Nativity, Hand Carved Olive Wood Bark Slice with BETHLEHEM Engraving, hand carved olive wood from Bethlehem
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Genuine Bethlehem Nativity, Hand Carved Olive Wood Bark Slice with BETHLEHEM Engraving, 3.7 inch

Genuine Bethlehem Nativity, Hand Carved Olive Wood Bark Slice with BETHLEHEM Engraving, 3.7 inch

$14.99 USD
$14.99 USD
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Every Piece is a One-of-a-Kind Natural Log Slice

The photo and dimensions shown here are examples only. This nativity is hand-cut from natural olive tree sections, so the bark pattern, slice shape, exact dimensions, and proportions of YOUR piece will vary, sometimes noticeably, from what you see. Approximate size: 9.5 x 9.5 x 2.5 cm (3.7 x 3.7 x 1.0 inches). Yours may arrive larger, smaller, rounder, or shaped differently. That natural unpredictability is exactly what makes each one unique, no two are alike, and we don't try to make them match.

This is a Bethlehem nativity hand carved on a natural bark-edge olive wood log slice with BETHLEHEM engraved on the front base. The interior is carved with a palm tree, the Holy Family, an angel with a shooting star above, and a kneeling shepherd. Each slice is cut from a different section of olive tree, so the round shape, bark pattern, and exact dimensions vary per piece. Approximate size 9.5 x 9.5 x 2.5 cm (3.7 x 3.7 x 1.0 inches), weight about 136 grams. Sits freestanding on its carved BETHLEHEM base panel. Made in Bethlehem.

About this Bethlehem Nativity

This is a Bethlehem nativity hand carved on a natural bark-edge olive wood log slice with BETHLEHEM engraved on the front base.

Round bark-edge olive wood slice with a carved palm tree on the left, holy family (mary, joseph, baby jesus in the manger) in the center, angel with a shooting star above, kneeling shepherd on the right, and bethlehem engraved across the carved base panel. Single slice cut from an olive tree section with the bark preserved around the edge, interior surface relief carved with the nativity scene, base panel carved with the bethlehem lettering as part of the same piece, no joinery.

What You're Holding

Bark on the outside, smoothed scene on the inside, with BETHLEHEM engraved across the base. The contrast between the rough natural edge and the carved interior is what people stop and look at twice. I keep one of these on my desk in the office, a customer noticed it once and asked if it was found wood, which is almost true, it's pruned from a living olive tree.

Product Specifications

Material Genuine Holy Land olive wood
Origin Bethlehem, Holy Land
Approximate Size 3.7" H x 3.7" W x 1.0" D (9.5 x 9.5 x 2.5 cm)
Approximate Weight 136 g (4.8 oz)
Scene Round bark-edge olive wood slice with a carved palm tree on the left, holy family (mary, joseph, baby jesus in the manger) in the center, angel with a shooting star above, kneeling shepherd on the right, and bethlehem engraved across the carved base panel
Construction Single slice cut from an olive tree section with the bark preserved around the edge, interior surface relief carved with the nativity scene, base panel carved with the bethlehem lettering as part of the same piece, no joinery
Finish Hand polished, natural olive wood, no stain
Made By Christian artisan families in Bethlehem
Display Style Freestanding tabletop, sits flat on the base
Packaging Gift-ready, padded for international shipping

The Story of this Piece

Bark-edge slices come from sections of olive tree where the trunk is wide enough to give a flat carving face but still narrow enough to keep the natural bark border visible. The carver works one slice at a time because no two are the same shape, the design has to adapt to the wood instead of the other way around.

Who it's For

Holy Land pilgrimage souvenir for someone returning home, gift for a Sunday school class with Bethlehem on the curriculum, parish welcome gift for a new pastor or deacon, modest under-$20 Christmas keepsake, a piece that reads instantly as "from Bethlehem" because the word is right there on it.

Care Instructions

Olive wood needs almost no maintenance. If it looks dry after years of indoor display, rub a single drop of food grade olive oil into the surface with a soft cloth. Don't soak it, don't put it in a dishwasher, don't display it outdoors in direct rain. Indoor humidity changes are normal and fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my piece look exactly like the one in the photo?

No, every bark slice is unique. The round shape, the bark texture, the exact size within a few millimeters, and small carving details vary from piece to piece. The carved scene (palm, Holy Family, angel, star, shepherd) and the BETHLEHEM engraving will all be there, just on a slice that has its own character.

Is the bark stable, or will it shed?

The bark is firmly attached and is brushed clean of loose flakes before shipping. A small amount of natural bark dust may settle in the package, which is normal. The bark itself stays on for the life of the piece.

Does it stand up on its own?

Yes. The carved base panel with the BETHLEHEM engraving is the flat bottom face, so the piece sits freestanding on any shelf or mantel without needing a separate stand.

Is the BETHLEHEM lettering carved or printed?

Carved as relief lettering into the base panel, raised slightly from the surface. It's part of the wood, not a sticker or printed text. It will never wear off.

Why are bark-edge pieces often considered more authentic?

A bark-edge piece shows that the wood was cut from a real tree (not milled lumber) and that the carver chose to leave the natural edge intact instead of squaring everything off. It's a visible signal of artisan craftsmanship rather than machine production.

✓ Authentic olive wood craftsmanship from Bethlehem, handmade by Elias Zuluf's workshop — supplying Christian gifts, crosses, and sacred carvings worldwide since 2007.
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