"When I am afraid. I will trust in you."
PSALM 56:3
Praise be to God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ,the father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Caring Cross is made from genuine olive wood in Bethlehem, the Holy Land. Designed specifically to fit within the contours of your hand they are perfect to hold during prayer or meditation. Caring Crosses make a wonderful gift to say "thanks" or "I care" to your pastors, priests, bible study groups, prayer groups or any family member or friend in need of a little boost in faith.
"I use my cross when walking in the morning, I focus my prayers on my son deployed overseas" Mother
"I hold my cross for nightly prayer then hold it till I fall asleep", child 9.
Benefits of the Caring Cross
"The wood is from the tree of life, those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed."
Proverbs 3:18
Christian craftsmen have been carving the branches thinned from the olive trees since the fourth century. Monks from the Church of Nativity built on the site of the birth of Jesus Christ taught the local Christians how to use the olive wood to carve. The process was passed down from generation to generation.
When Franciscans arrived in the 16th century the artisans began creating religious souvenirs for the pilgrims. Today, the cottage industry is a major source of income for the Christians of Bethlehem and helps to support the Christian community. The carving of Olive wood crafts is a very labor intensive practice with much of the carving done by hand.
In recent years, the decrease in tourism and reduction in suitable olive wood has caused many Christian craftsmen to emigrate from the area. Each member of the community who leaves puts further pressure on the rest. Purchasing Caring Crosses and other handicrafts made by local Christians in Bethlehem ,who are paid a fair price for their work, both provides yourself with a beautiful natural reminded of Jesus Christ but also supports the presents of Christians in the land of Christ.
Bethlehem Craftsman and Fair Trade
"And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth."
Genesis 8:11
His branches shall spread and his beaty shall be as the olive tree...."
Hosea 14:6
The olive tree is probably the most significant plant mentioned in both the New and Old Testament. First mentioned in Genesis as the leaf brought by the dove to comfort Noah, it was the tree Jesus prayed under before the last supper. The Olive tree also provided food, lamp oil, anointing oil and building material during ancient times.
The olive tree is an evergreen which can grow for thousands of years. The tree admired by Hosea whose leaves have been a sign of abundance; glory and peace are still used to crown victors in the Olympic Games. The oil from the fruit used to anoint the sick. The olive trees of Jerusalem are pruned to remove the hard wood and open the tree so new growth can provide a bountiful cop of olives the next year. This hard and beautiful timber is used by local craftsmen for carving your cross.
All our Olive Wood comes from the fields around Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus.
The Cross Story
The Olive Tree
Purchasing Caring Crosses and other handicrafts made by local Christians in Bethlehem who are paid a fair price for their work both provides yourself with a beautiful natural reminded of Jesus Christ but also supports the presence of Christians in the land of Christ.