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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
For more information, please contact The Nativity Stones Collections at 323-654-4030, email contact@nativitystones.com or visit www.nativitystonescollection.com.
The Nativity Stones Collection: An Intimate "Rebirth"
Over two millennia ago, in the city of Bethlehem, the Son of God was born in a manger. A humble beginning, but one that paved the way for the salvation of the world. Imagine the awe and beauty, the lasting impression such an unblemished and sacred moment meant to the select few who bore witness. Imagine the joy, the serenity, the infusion of faith.
In 1964, Stanley Slotkin, a Los Angeles businessman, philanthropist and amateur archaeologist and founder of the Nativity Stones Collection, personally visited that very site where Christ was physically brought into the world.
"My father's love of archaeology has made it possible for people all over the world to have access to this rare piece of Christian history," said Diane Keith, Stanley Slotkin's daughter.
In search of the Tomb of Joseph in Nazareth, Slotkin was led to the Cave of Nativity--the site that Christians have officially recognized as the birthplace of Christ --during the only renovation of the site. Slotkin expressed an interest in the stones that were being removed to his host, Elias Bandak, then the mayor of Bethlehem. Bandak offered the stones to him and oversaw their shipment to the United States.
Following this unique experience, Slotkin realized that he wanted to share the stones with the rest of the world. He gave the stones to charitable foundations, auctioned them off for fundraising purposes, and gave crosses with stones to the sick and terminally ill through the Nativity Stones Foundation.
Slotkin went to great lengths to prove the authenticity and historical heritage of the stones including letters of confirmation from Mayor Bandak as well as commissioning two geological surveys that proved the stones are consistent with the limestone foundation of the Cave of Nativity.
What makes the Nativity Stones so special is that they were actually witness to the hallowed birth of Jesus Christ. Silent guardians who provided sanctuary for Him, only ten feet from the star that marks where Christ was born. For those seeking their own connection, one that is both intimate and enduring, the Nativity Stones offer a daily representation of one's faith.
The Nativity Stones Collection, made up of a variety of gold and silver crosses and gifts each specifically designed to hold a Nativity Stone, has been in existence for nearly 20 years. In celebration of Christmas and the closing of the first decade of the new millennium, the Nativity Stones Collection has begun a rebirth of its own.
"We felt that in these times of uncertainty, it is the appropriate time to reintroduce the Nativity Stones to a new generation who might desire a tangible way to reinforce their faith," commented Keith.
People are always searching for an intimate connection with Christ. Whether a gift for a loved one or a necessary reminder to yourself of the importance of your faith, the Nativity Stones Collection is a rare opportunity to attain a daily representation of God's eternal love and a firsthand window into the miracle of Christ's birth, all encapsulated within the essence of a Nativity Stone. Imagine being able take part in such a miracle!
In the spirit of Christ's love, the Nativity Stones Collection also benefits others in need. A portion of all proceeds are donated to a variety of charities including both religious and health-directed non-profit organizations.
