"Conventionally, we think of Jesus being born in a stable - and the stable was a building. But for the most part, people living in Bethlehem at the time of His birth 2000 years ago lived in caves," said Fred Tonsing, Professor of Theology at California State University. "The place where Mary and Joseph stayed would not have been a built structure, but a cave."

In 1963, a prominent businessman and archaeologist, Mr. S. Slotkin, was invited to see the Cave of the Nativity by Mayor Elias Bandak of Bethlehem during its only excavation. Mr. Slotkin expressed interest in the stones that were being removed from the site. The mayor, having no plans for the stones, offered them to Mr. Slotkin. After many years, numerous tests and geological surveys conducted to re-confirm that the stones are from the actual Cave of the Nativity, a limited number are now being made available to the public.

A small piece of the Nativity Stone has been set in two different sized gold plated crosses created by Paul Dimitriu. Mr. Dimitriu is an internationally renowned jewelry designer responsible for designing medallions for NASA space flights and a special cross made for Pope John Paul II. The stones are not only symbols of Jesus' birth, sacrifice, death and resurrection, they offer a direct connection to Him.

See below for what others, who have purchased the Nativity Cross, have to say.