Inspired from a teaching of St. Paul of the Cross on prayer before a Crucifix:

When you are alone before the Manger, kneel before the Baby Jesus, reverently kiss His hands and warm His feet, where the holy wounds will be. Tell Him to preach you a little sermon, and then listen to the words of eternal life that He speaks to your heart. Feel the piercing cold, listen to the pleading of the thorns that will crown this Infant resting in the crib, the nails which will mark the Word made Flesh, the precious Blood which will be spilled for man’s salvation. Oh, what an eloquent sermon!