As Christmas approaches, the tradition of setting up a nativity scene becomes a cherished activity ... Each nativity set is meticulously carved from olive wood by Christian families in Bethlehem.

On Saturday, Pope Francis unveiled a nativity scene in the Vatican’s Paul VI ... The practice of olive wood carving is a pillar of the community’s economic and cultural identity dating back ...

The Nativity scene unveiled on Saturday ... Carving statues and religious scenes from olive wood has been a pillar of the Holy Land’s economic and cultural identity for centuries.

Ayman Oghanna for NPR Jack Giacaman enjoys telling customers that every day is Christmas in his shop, which features hand-crafted olive-wood Nativity scenes, camels and crosses. But this year ...

Pope Francis holds an audience with donors of the St. Peter's Square Christmas tree and Nativity scene ... The sculpture was designed from olive wood, as well as mother-of-pearl, stone, ceramic ...

The tables of scenes are tidily displayed with each nativity self-contained. There are antique olive wood displays, ceramics, metal scenes and even a rubber-ducky Nativity. "We all come from ...

From the city of the Prince of Peace came a gift of a nativity scene made by artisans. The figures were made of olive wood, the large Star of mother-of-pearl, and other elements with various ...

A Nativity scene made by artisans from Bethlehem was ... which he said have deep roots in the area, especially olive wood and mother-of-pearl. The round, almost 10-foot-high installation ...

A Christian businessman from Bethlehem who runs a store that sells hand-carved olive wood Nativity scenes said on a visit to Birmingham this week that tourism in the birthplace of Jesus has dried ...

BETHLEHEM, West Bank — Jack Giacaman enjoys telling customers that every day is Christmas in his shop, which features hand-crafted olive-wood Nativity scenes, camels and crosses. But this year ...