The Nativity Stones are stones from the Manger Room of the Cave of the Nativity, feet from the star that marks the birthplace of Christ. The Cave of the Nativity is the place Christians have officially recognized and celebrated as the birthplace of Christ since 326 A.D. At that time, Empress Helena and her son, Emperor Constantine, erected a Basilica above the cave that local Christians had celebrated as Christ's birthplace since the time of His death. This Basilica is the oldest active Christian church in the world.
The Nativity Stones were brought to the United States in 1964 through the efforts of Stanley Slotkin, a philanthropist and amateur archaeologist. While visiting the Cave of the Nativity during its only excavation, Slotkin expressed an interest in the stones that were being removed. Mayor Elias Bandak of Bethlehem, Slotkin's host, had no plans for the stones and offered them to him and oversaw the shipment of the stones to the U.S.
Today, steps have been taken to secure the Basilica and the Cave to enable future generations to visit this Holy and beautiful commemoration of the birth of Christ. One effort to help protect the Basilica and the Cave has been the creation of the Nativity Stones Collection. The collection, made up of various gold and silver Natvity crosses and ornaments designed to hold a small stone from the Cave of the Nativity, offers a unique way for people to maintain the presence of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Nativity Stones has been sent to Bethlehem for the upkeep and maintenance of the Basilica that stands above the Cave of the Nativity. Additional donations have been used each year to support charities such as the American Cancer Society and Loyola Marymount University, St. Theresa, Church of the Little Flower, and the Spanish River Church (building churches throughout North America). Click here to learn more about The Nativity Stones' donations and it's founder, Stanley Slotkin.
