I played with my granddaughter with her nativity set weeks before Christmas. We were on the floor of her living room and mostly moved an animal here or there. As we talked, I placed Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in the stable.

A few minutes later, she had sprawled on her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows. She held Jesus in his manger in both hands and looked at him. She laid him on the floor and lowered her face so that it was almost touching the plastic toy. She quietly talked for at least a minute. I don’t know what she said, but she was focused. She then picked him up, sat up, and continued to play.

I knew she was talking to a plastic piece of her toy nativity, but still…

Watching her so close and focused on talking with Jesus made me consider how I speak with him. How close do I draw him? How focused am I on him? How quietly and completely do I talk with him?

I want to be intentional—not just on Christmas but every single day. Sometimes it is the simplicity of a child’s play that reminds and challenges us to grow in faith.