"Bells of Bethlehem" - Painting by Otto Unzicker

"Bells of Bethlehem"

Painting by Otto Unzicker 

of Peru, Illinois

1988

Yeshua (Jesus), God Incarnate, was born in Bet-lehem (House of Bread) in Israel, the eternal promised land of the Jews.

This original painting by Otto Unzicker of Peru, IL was done after he had made his amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, delightful trip to Israel in the early 90's (I believe it was around that time.) He was a very gifted painter, choosing to use acrylic paints and watercolors as his preference.

All of his paintings now reside in the homes of his three daughters, Linda, Judy and Laurie, as part of their inheritance, with the passing to heaven of their mother Lorraine on July 31, 2014.

Otto & Lorraine Unzicker

(The photo on the right 

is Otto in the US Army in World War II. 

He served in Europe.)

Otto's painting, depicting the peace dove, is of the Church of the Nativity bell in Bethlehem, Israel, where Jesus (Yeshua), Otto's Lord and Savior, was born on that very spot covered by this Christian church. This location in Israel was one of his favorites. He had climbed the bell tower steps of the church and beheld this awesome view, which we now share.

Otto touching the Church of the Nativity bell in Bethlehem, Israel.

A great heritage passed on for his children and grandchildren.

This beautiful painting (measuring 33" x 34" framed) by my father-in-law Otto Unzicker, "Bells of Bethlehem" was done in his Illinois basement in winter, around 1995. Otto is the father of Linda Baker-Skaggs, Judy Anderson, Laura Jean Martin and grandfather of Josh Martin, Ben Martin, Hannah Avalos, Christen N Andrew Blade, and many of our nephews and nieces.

We know that this specific painting of Otto won 2nd prize in the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois, date unknown. The 14" ribbon hangs behind the painting. I believe it also won first place in a Mendota, Illinois fair contest. I know some of his other paintings certainly did!

His artwork, including three other originals, now so gratefully hang in our home in the Charlotte, NC area. It won 2nd prize in the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois, date unknown. The 14" ribbon hangs behind the painting.

Thank you Otto, my father-in-law, and Christian brother, above all! Blessings are certainly on ye head in heaven now, since 2006!

Blessings on ye heads!

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

"Bells of Bethlehem" hangs in our home.

- painting by Otto Unzicker

My beloved.

She is my beloved.

Laura Jean Unzicker Martin

Saluda, NC Oct. 18, 2015

Yeshua (Jesus) is our Beloved 

and

we are Yeshua's (Jesus') beloved.

Mutual Delight in Each Other - Song of Songs 6

1“Where has your beloved gone,

            O most beautiful among women?

            Where has your beloved turned,

            That we may seek him with you?”

      2“My beloved has gone down to his garden,

            To the beds of balsam,

            To pasture his flock in the gardens

            And gather lilies.

      3“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,

            He who pastures his flock among the lilies.”

      4“You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,

            As lovely as Jerusalem,

            As awesome as an army with banners.

      5“Turn your eyes away from me,

            For they have confused me;

            Your hair is like a flock of goats

            That have descended from Gilead.

      6“Your teeth are like a flock of ewes

            Which have come up from their washing,

            All of which bear twins,

            And not one among them has lost her young.

      7“Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate

            Behind your veil.

      8“There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,

            And maidens without number;

      9But my dove, my perfect one, is unique:

            She is her mother’s only daughter;

            She is the pure child of the one who bore her.

            The maidens saw her and called her blessed,

            The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying,

      10‘Who is this that grows like the dawn,

            As beautiful as the full moon,

            As pure as the sun,

            As awesome as an army with banners?’

      11“I went down to the orchard of nut trees

            To see the blossoms of the valley,

            To see whether the vine had budded

            Or the pomegranates had bloomed.

      12“Before I was aware, my soul set me

            Over the chariots of my noble people.”

      13“Come back, come back, O Shulammite;

            Come back, come back, that we may gaze at you!”

            

      “Why should you gaze at the Shulammite,

            As at the dance of the two companies?

Song of Solomon 6 (NASB)

My wife Laurie (Laura Jean Unzicker Martin) - a poem "My Good Wife"

Laurie

My Good Wife

A pretty lass, of her father's German decent,

That of Otto for sure - 'twas heaven sent.

Lorraine her Mom, now of 54 and more,

Thank you Lord, for sharing her. 

Got married (to me!) at 18. I prayed!

Had firstborn Josh on her 19th b-day.

Then came Ben, and Hannah and Christen, it's true,

Notice the eyes? Green, not blue.

She's made each house a nice, pleasant aroma;

Be in Illinois, Michigan, Florida or Carolina.

Has worked hard an annual 12 at Calvary Daycare,

Now has five, plus one, of own grands we share.

No special day, as I share now with you,

Just wanted it be known her heart is true.

Loves the Lord - and full of life,

Blessings on her, my lovely and good wife!

Steve Martin

July 15, 2013