Handcrafted Christmas Tree Nativity, Olive Wood Holy Family Scene from Bethlehem, 5.4 inch

This is a Christmas tree nativity hand carved in Bethlehem with a tall 3D olive wood palm tree on the left and a Christmas-tree silhouette frame on the right topped with a carved star. The Holy Family is carved at the base of the tree frame, with a kneeling shepherd on the side. A meaningful first Christmas nativity from the Holy Land. Approximate size 13.8 x 11.5 x 6.8 cm (5.4 x 4.5 x 2.7 inches), weight about 148 grams. Sits freestanding on an oval olive wood base. Made by Christian artisan families in Bethlehem. About this Christmas Tree Nativity This is a Christmas tree nativity hand carved in Bethlehem with a tall 3D olive wood palm tree on the left and a Christmas-tree silhouette frame on the right topped with a carved star. Tall 3d carved palm tree on the left, christmas-tree silhouette frame on the right with a carved star at the top, holy family carved at the base of the tree frame, kneeling shepherd carved on the side, all on an oval olive wood base. Multi-piece 3d carving on a shared base, palm and christmas-tree-shape frame joined to the base as separate vertical elements, holy family carved as a back relief inside the tree frame, kneeling shepherd as a small standalone figure on the base. From Where I'm Sitting Christmas tree shapes don't show up in most Bethlehem carving because they're a northern European symbol, not a Holy Land one. This piece pairs them on purpose, the Christmas tree silhouette on one side, the more traditional palm tree on the other. It bridges where the buyer lives and where the piece comes from in one design. Product Specifications Material Genuine Holy Land olive wood Origin Bethlehem, Holy Land Approximate Size 5.4" H x 4.5" W x 2.7" D (13.8 x 11.5 x 6.8 cm) Approximate Weight 148 g (5.2 oz) Scene Tall 3d carved palm tree on the left, christmas-tree silhouette frame on the right with a carved star at the top, holy family carved at the base of the tree frame, kneeling shepherd carved on the side, all on an oval olive wood base Construction Multi-piece 3d carving on a shared base, palm and christmas-tree-shape frame joined to the base as separate vertical elements, holy family carved as a back relief inside the tree frame, kneeling shepherd as a small standalone figure on the base 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 The Christmas tree as a Western Christmas symbol was adopted into Bethlehem carving relatively recently, mostly to meet European and American customer expectations. The traditional palm tree (which actually grows in Bethlehem) gets paired with it as a Holy Land counterpoint, which is exactly the design choice on this piece. Who it's For First Christmas together gift for newlyweds, Baby's First Christmas keepsake (the tree silhouette is the lasting visual), Christmas gift for a Christian family putting up their first tree in a new home, godparent gift to a child receiving their first nativity, or a Bethlehem-origin alternative to the more generic Christmas decor in retail stores. 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 Is this a Christmas-only piece, or does it work year round? Most customers display it during Advent and Christmas season then store it with their other decorations. The carved Holy Family inside the tree frame is meaningful year round, but the explicit Christmas tree silhouette makes it most at home during the December display. Will the tree silhouette read as Christmas or as nativity? Both, intentionally. The triangle shape and star on top is unmistakably the Christmas tree visual, but the carved Holy Family inside locks it firmly into the nativity tradition. People read it as a nativity-with-tree, not as a generic tree. Can the kneeling shepherd be moved? The shepherd is glued to the base in his proper position relative to the Holy Family. He is not designed to be repositioned. Is the carved star part of the tree, or separate? Carved as part of the tree-shape frame itself, raised in relief at the top peak. There is no separate stuck-on star. Does the palm look out of place next to the Christmas tree? Some customers wonder that until they see it in person, then the contrast actually reads as intentional. The palm anchors the piece in Bethlehem (palms grow there, Christmas trees don't), the tree silhouette anchors it in the customer's own Christmas tradition.