At this season of the year all of the world has it's eyes on Bethlehem and rightfully so! I would venture to say that most of the people reading this article need a touch from God in their personal lives. This was part of God's loving, "out breathing" plan all along. Our telephone companies don't have a monopoly on "reaching out and touching someone."

When I was first starting out in the ministry and pondering the spiritual questions of life I had often wondered if some of God's plans as the Scriptures recorded them, could have been improved upon or modified to have had a different outcome.

Take His birth for instance. Everyone reading this article was born in more sanitary conditions than Jesus. Even if you were born in a taxicab or in your home, your birth conditions had to be better than an animal stall.

If you had been God, how would you have tried to show the world how much you loved them?

Maybe you could have sent "angel messengers" but only some would have listened and believed. Maybe you could "out breathe" your message to men to write the Holy Scriptures and tell them to read them, but only some would even do that. Maybe you could show your love through giving them literally everything they needed in a place void of disease, suffering, pain, war, thorns, gnats, and even work. God even tried all that in the Garden of Eden and man was still unsatisfied because he wanted more.

As I pondered all the plans God had set down in His Word, I began to realize that His plans were wonderfully flawless, especially the one about the shepherds and the angels and the wisemen and, of course, the manger. It's very interesting to me that all economic classes were included at the manger, all races were included and both male and female were there.

It is here at the manger where all of mankind was changed forever. The majesty of the manger has always meant the most to me at this season of the year because it is here that mankind of all walks of life are humbled and kneel before the King of Kings.

I know that especially during the Christmas season when the wintry days are the darkest and when all people are suppose to "be jolly," that often depression and despair sets in and that some people suffer greatly through the holidays.

Marriages need the manger; families need the manger; governments need the manger;

You and I need the manger. It is my prayer that you go by one of the churches this Christmas season and pause and ponder God's wonderful flawless plan in the manger. Receive His presence brought to you in the manger.