It's called The Little Drummer Boy, we've all heard it and sung it a thousand times. But I realized something while listeing to it a while back. There's an element of symbolism that I didn't notice before. Perhaps everyone but me already knows this but I'll go ahead and share it anyway. c ;
Come they told me
Our new born King to see
Our finest gifts we bring
To lay before the King
So to honor him, when we come
Baby Yazuh
I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring
That's fit to give a king
Shall I play for You?
On my drum
Then He nodded
The Ox and lamb kept time
I played my drum for Him
I played my best for Him
Then, He smiled at me.
Me and my drum.
Look at the first verse, "Come they told me, our new born King to see.." The boy was invited to see the King.
The jews (and many other people who had been told about him ) knew that the king was coming, they new that He had promised to come, and they were waiting for Him. So when this news came, they were thrilled! Granted they were probably surprised to know that He had come in the form of a baby, but hey, He's the King of kings, who's gonna question Him?
"Our finest gifts we bring, to lay before the King, so to honor Him when we come..." Their finest gifts, only the best for the King of Kings would do.
"Baby Yazuh, I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring, that's fit to give a king..." And then the boy realizes. He is not worthy, he looks around at the three kings standing around the manger and understands that he is just a lowly boy, dirty in his rags and worn from days and days of rough work, no where near as honorable as the three kings who just gave Him their very best.
"Shall I play for you? On my drum..." So he looks around to see what he has that he can offer the King. And all he sees his old drum, worn and dirty just like himself. But it's all he has to offer.
"Then He nodded, the ox and lamb kept time. I played my drum for Him, I played my best for Him..."
He was willing to offer the best of what he had, although it wasn't much. And with a heart full of excitement, he played for the King.
"Then He smiled at me. Me and my drum." And the King of King's, who was worthy of so much more than just a dirty little boy's drum solo, was pleased. Because instead of giving just what he could spare, he gave all he had.
This is the attitude we should have toward Christ. He has come into our world, brightening it and making it better all around. He has saved us from an eternity away from everything we were made for. Payed the price that was ours to pay. And what's more, He stays with us throughout our entire earthly lives teaching us and guiding us all the way. Offering us the love that we so desperately crave.
And what do we have to give Him in return? All we have. Nothing but the life of an old, dirty sinner. Yet we offer it anyway, and with joy and excitement in our hearts we serve Him. Giving Him our best.
Living in such a way, that when Christ looks down at us, all He can do is smile.
