As the old classic song says, “Christmas cards have all been sent, the Christmas rush is through but there’s one thing I wish for you…”  There’s another old classic Christmas song that has brand new meaning to me this year:

Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new-born King to see,
Pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too,
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you!
Pa rum pum pum
On my drum.

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

This song, penned in 1958, is also known as the “Carol of the Drum”.  Unlike the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh the Wise Men brought to Jesus, the little drummer boy was too poor to afford a gift for the baby Jesus.  He saw himself in Jesus as he was a poor boy, too!!  But he knew that this poor boy was a King. The Messiah.  The Christ Child.  With that realization came the only response he could give.  Worship.  He wanted to worship Jesus by offering Him a gift.  But, what could he give? He offers what he has in hands.  A song of worship played with his drumsticks.

What a simplistic but powerful song of worship.  It’s a visual that even the simplest mind can comprehend.  Each one of us has a personal way to worship God by offering him what we have in our hands.  No matter how small, it pleases the heart of God.  Do you believe that?  It’s a gift that’s received with a smile.  Dear one, what do you have in your hands?  Think about it.  Is it a ball, a pen, money, a song sheet, an instrument, a steering wheel, a smartphone, a key, sports equipment, a sewing needle, a stethoscope, a cooking utensil, knitting needles, a gardener’s tool, a paintbrush, or a cup of coffee?  Whatever it is, your hands hold the perfect gift to offer the King.  Offer it to Him at this moment as a spiritual act of worship.  (refer to Romans 12:1)

As the little drummer boy’s hands tapped his tattered drum, Mary nodded in response to the gift given to Jesus, her baby boy.  The baby Jesus smiled.  With this, there is one wish I have for you today.  Merry Christmas!

Jesus, Simply Jesus!

First Look:

+ Read the Gospel’s accounts of Jesus’ Holy Birth.  Is God speaking to you in a special way? What do you see that you’ve never seen before?

+Read Romans 12:1.  Hold out your hands.  Offer them to God today.

Through The Looking Glass:

+What gift do you have to offer The LORD Jesus Christ?

+Prayerfully offer it to him today.