Last weekend while serving as a character for the First United Methodist Church’s live nativity, I really enjoyed watching the little children especially the toddlers stand and look with awe at the recreated manger scene.

It was complete with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, an angel, shepherds, three wise men and even goats, a calf, sheep and a camel. It was great to see the wonder in their eyes as they walked up with their parents and grandparents.

Many were asking questions and the adults with them would bend down and explain what was happening and maybe even sharing with them the story of the birth of Jesus.

The youngsters accepted without question that Jesus was born as a little baby in stable many years ago. They probably did not question why this happened, why he was born to a young girl named Mary, or even why men in funny costumes were bringing Jesus gifts.

As adults, we might think they would question why all the animals were around and He was not born in a nice clean hospital or why He was lying in bed of straw. But not so, the words to “Away in a Manger” are good enough for them. If they sang this song then Jesus was asleep on the hay with no crib for his head.

Would it not be great if our faith as adults we be so? If God said it, then it must be true. Faith has been defined as “both the substance of things hoped for and the evidence that things exist that have not yet been perceived with the senses.” When you read these words it does not seem such a difficult thing to do, but we as adults want to analyze everything and try to explain everything in human terms and even put human restrictions on what God can do.

Jesus told us in Matthew 18:3, “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

Perhaps he was trying to tell us that we must have the faith of a child and believe with that faith that He came to earth as a little baby to fulfill His Father’s plan. It was a great experience to see the look in the eyes of the little ones, accepting Baby Jesus as who He truly was and is. May this Christmas season bring you closer to the baby in the manger.

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.