One of the most memorable experiences during my recent trip to Israel was my time spent in the markets of Jerusalem's Old City. The bartering and haggling with Arab shopowners was an experience in and of itself (To sum it up, you're not going to fool this Philly guy). But man, the stuff they were selling: absolutely beautiful Christian gifts. Statues of Jesus, crucifixes, murals, necklaces, plaques and countless other items that have added meaning not only because of their antique-like beauty (some of it looked like it was recovered from an Indiana Jones expedition) but because, hey, they were hand crafted in the Holy Land! Needless to say, I spent way too much money on gifts for my family (my wife could have killed me, but it's funny how a nice necklace from Jerusalem can make everything better).
So imagine my surprise recently when, strolling through Harford Mall in Bel Air, Maryland (just north of Baltimore), I came upon a stand that was selling items almost identical to those I saw in Jerusalem. Needless to say, I never thought I would see this stuff in America. But sure enough, as I struck up a conversation with the owner of the stand, I discovered that he was an Arab Christian from Bethlehem. Suddenly, it all made sense. Michael and other Bethlehem Christians have been coming to America these past few years at Christmastime in order to raise money for the struggling Christian community back home. My story about them aired today on CBN News (read and watch here):
Today, like in biblical times, the olive tree is viewed as a symbol of peace in a land that has seen very little of it.
For Bethlehem's struggling Christian community, these trees are also a source of income. For centuries, families like Michael's have used olive wood to make hand-carved gifts. Now, Michael is in the U.S. introducing Americans to this one-of-a-kind artwork.
"Not too many tourists go there to buy this, so we bring this stuff here to sell it for them," he said.
Bethlehem's once thriving tourism industry has suffered in recent years due to violence in the Palestinian territories. It's Muslim community is growing, while it's Christian population has dropped from 60 percent to under 20 percent since 1990.
"Many of them go to different lands looking for work, business -- because in Bethlehem it is a hard and bad life now," Michael told CBN News.
Some, like Michael, have come to America. The olive wood gifts he sells at Harford Mall in Bel Air, Maryland help raise money for Bethlehem's Christians.There are only 300 families left in Bethlehem who still make hand-carved items. It's an ancient Christian tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation. The items they make include the Last Supper, crucifixes, Nativity scenes -- all hand carved from olive trees, straight from the Holy Land. Christmas is the only time of year you will find them in America.
Each item also contains an added memento. The crucifixes contain incense from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and stones from Jerusalem.
Michael says sales have been down this year to the economic crisis - but he's staying optimistic.
"We hope the American people help their brother and sister Christians in Bethlehem," he said.
So if you see a Bethlehem Christian at your local mall this Christmas season, try to lend a helping hand. You won't regret it--not only are the items they're selling absolutely beautful, but you'll be helping to strengthen the dwindling Christian community in Christ's birthplace.
If you'd like to get in touch with Michael directly, e-mail me at erick.stakelbeck@cbn.org.