Little Drummer Boy

As an adult, Christmas time with its joys, celebrations, festivities and gift giving cannot be separated from my childhood.  So many years later the beautiful carols, silly songs, bright red reindeer noses, storefront windows decorated to match every child’s dreams, Christmas banquets with long dresses and a little extra makeup, and, the neighbourhoods and downtowns of our cities glittering with lights of every colour still bring such joy. I remember it all.  I loved it all.  And I cannot disconnect any current Christmas from the memories of the past.  

Apart from the glitter of the festivities and anticipation of what lay under the tree, so much of the doctrine and theology of the incarnation was also deeply ingrained in me as I joined with fellow believers and listened to my parents play their records on the family stereo. I learned of silent nights where Shepherd’s heard the angel voices announce the incarnation of Messiah.  I listened to the melancholy of voices, expressing their longing as they sang ‘Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel’.  And, as I sang, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’,  the doctrine of the atonement was planted in my heart with words stating Adam’s likeness was now erased while Jesus stamped His image on our face.   I learned precious doctrine from these carols, however, what resonates today as the strongest longing, the deepest emotion and greatest desire came not from a carol that taught the greatest theology, but rather what touched my heart most as a child. I know the same depth of longing remains to this day as I hear its tune played throughout the Christmas season.  It is a rather innocuous carol. You may find it surprising but let me explain why ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ is indeed both my childhood and adult longing.  Why it’s words both captivated and convicted.  How I pictured myself not as a little drummer boy, but rather as a child who stood before the manger scene wanting, longing, and wondering what gift befitting such a King I could give. A drummer I was not, nor could I bring the valuable treasure brought to him by wise men who had followed His star.  As a child I had so little to give, however, in the recesses of a child’s heart and mind, I stood before that manger and longed not only to be embraced by the wonder and comfort of being in His presence, but desperately wanting to give something that would touch His heart and make the Creator of this universe, still wrapped in swaddling clothes, smile…

‘Come, they told me, A newborn King to see,

Our finest gifts we bring,  To lay before the King,  

So to honour Him, When we come. 

Little baby,  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? 

Mary 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 Me and my drum.’

(Rum pa pum pum’s added at your own discretion). 

For me, this song was, and remains, about seeking, longing, gazing, and as a result basking in the joy and comfort of Christ, our Messiah and King.  Over the years of listening to the words of this carol, I have found those emotions, not only remain, but have grown.  I have understood them in a deeper way as I have placed myself before that manger scene. Let me explain…

We all know the major players of the Christmas story. We live it for at least a month in our homes and see it acted out in church dramas,  Cantata’s, and sweet little children as they play in their pageants year after year. Mary and Joseph, the joyous shepherds, the angelic host, and the wise men from afar are the lead players as we humanly try to replicate this sacred scene. There was no drummer boy in sight, but the echoes of his song still resound in my heart.  

The first take away I have both as a child and as an adult, are lessons not easily learned. In fact, one such as my temperament often had to learn the hard way.  You see, if we listen to the words of this song, this little child creates the picture of humility. The knowledge that being in the background, not being the star of the story, does not leave us without the same access to His presence. Because we are not rich, nor famous nor considered extremely gifted does not exclude us from giving what we have to Jesus.   When we fully understand Philippians Chapter two, we know what Jesus did for you and I. He left the splendour of heaven, the majesty that surrounds the Throne, the exaltation of the angelic host and the delights of a world we cannot begin to imagine.  While doing that Jesus took on flesh. He walked with us, talked with us, taught us, loved us, healed us, and made His home amongst us. He fully related to us and walked this planet, not with the riches of the King and Creator that He was and is, but rather as the Son of a carpenter, and as One who had no home to call His own.  As much as Mary and Joseph would have need for the treasure of the wisemen, it was not the actual gifts that would have pleased our King, but rather, the hearts of those who brought them.

It makes me question so many facets of what we focus on not only at Christmas, but daily in our own service to the King.  Do we stand back in humility bringing not what attracts attention to the world, but what truly pleases and brings a smile to the face of our God. As a child, I wanted to give him my absolute best. And, in childhood innocence, I wanted Him to know my heart, my love, and my desire to give my whole life and adoration. I hope that is a longing that remains in all of us. However, as much as the adulation of the world can at times be exhilarating, nothing can compare to the knowledge that He loves me, and, whatever I bring, is enough. I also promise what you have, who you are, and what you give, are enough.  He will be smiling.  

This little drummer boy also makes me contemplate the very gifts we bring to Jesus, not only at Christmas, but through the entirety of our lives. Unfortunately, if we listen to modern-day prosperity teaching, it is more about the gifts we receive than the gifts we give.  We are often taught when we give financially to Kingdom purposes, there will be great reward here on this planet.  Riches in the bank, beautiful mansions to call our own, any material desire of our heart comes with the quick writing of a cheque or large sums of money deposited in the name of ministry. My mind goes once again to this song, ‘I have no gift to bring that’s fit to give a King’, but what I have in my hand, I will give, and, I will give my very best.  It begs the question what gifts do we possess fit to honour such a King as ours.  Most importantly, what are we teaching our children, our parishioners, our neighbours regarding what brings pleasure and a smile to the face of our God. I find the answer both profound and yet remarkably simple…

King David was a Shepherd King.   Before assuming the throne, he spent many solitary hours caring for his flock.   He would often be alone as his duties took him to both low valleys and high mountains in order to feed and protect his sheep.   Some of his most beautiful Psalms are the result of his experiences and longings during those lonely hours as he sought to both know and bask in the presence of his King. I have been reading Psalm 27 lately.  It expresses so beautifully the desire of David’s heart…

‘One thing I ask from the Lord,

    this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

    and to seek him in his temple.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

    Your face, Lord, I will seek.’

In Psalm 42 David once again records his deepest longing…’As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?’

David’s greatest gifts were longing, hunger, pursuit, and desire.  He wanted to know this majestic King.  His thirst seemed unquenchable, his hunger so evident. It was alone in the hills and in the quietness of the valley David gave these gifts to his God, and as a result, God smiled.  From the majesty of heaven, God declared this young Shepherd boy had a heart that knew Him, loved Him and was like His very own. These gifts are what we need to bring.  Gifts that are fitting for our King. Not just a part, he wants all our heart, all our desire and all our pursuit.  In fact, He has promised those who seek will find, and in the finding our hearts too will smile.  

There is a gift I confess to struggling with at various times on my journey. I remember a time when I was around fourteen years old.  It was a Sunday evening, and our pastor had preached a sermon I’m sure was wonderful, however, I have no recollection of.  What I do vividly remember is him calling us to the altar at the front of the church. Quietly playing in the background was the well-known hymn, ‘I Surrender All’. It seemed to be the challenge of the call that evening.  Responding to the strong tug in my heart, I quietly walked to the altar, knelt, and began to feel a deep struggle in my spirit. Although, still young, I intrinsically knew surrender required the gift of my life.  All of it. The laying down and giving up of things I had yet to experience.  Surrendering despite knowing what my future encompassed. I remember weeping.  I don’t remember why I wept other than I became deeply aware of the cost of the call.  I knew what was happening in my heart was far beyond the desires of an average fourteen-year-old. It was a profound call to surrender, not only in that moment, but for every single aspect of the journey I was about to enter.   I also remember my dad seeing what was taking place and gently moving beside me on my knees. He asked me what was happening.  I told him I really did not know, but I felt so deeply the gift I needed to offer Jesus included everything.  Full surrender. Complete abandonment, and a fearless determination.  As I have aged, I have come to fully understand that moment.  At fourteen I had no idea what this journey would look like. However, I was resolved to give the best gift I had. My heart, my life, my love.  Many years have passed since that unforgettable evening. It has been a journey to be sure.  At times, I have resisted full surrender fearful that surrender meant loss. In seasons of difficulty, I have questioned why the cost seemed so high. I have learned however, when I give the gift of my life, it does not begin to compare with the gifts Jesus has given me.  I have also experienced His smile that absolves all the above fears and somehow makes everything right.    

Jesus often brings me back to that night and to the gift a fourteen-year-old child offered while she prayed on her knees. And, one day I will stand at the Majesty of His Throne and say I played my best for you. I was rarely perfect, I didn’t always have a lot to give, but what I had was for You. And He will smile at me.  Rum pa pum pum!  Me and my King.   

It is December 2025.  Christmas is fast approaching.    What will you give Him?    I recommend it be your life, heart, and love all wrapped in longing and desire for a glimpse of Him.  That my friend, is a gift fitting your King.    

Amen.  

Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus for the wonder and beauty of the manger scene. We are so grateful You came to us. We long for the day as John’s gospel records, our hands will touch, our eyes will behold, and our ears will hear. Till then we give you the gift of our lives, our hearts, and our surrender.  For now, we see only in part, but then, face to face.   Come to us this season Lord, as our hearts in faith come to You…

Amen.