Good Good Life

Little drummer boy might be a made up character, but he can be a great example for all of us on how to approach God.

A few years ago, in the Christmas post, I asked which person from the account of Jesus’ birth do you identify with. Today, I’m adding one more choice – person who wasn’t actually present at Jesus’ birth and who isn’t even real, but quite a few of us may see ourselves in him. Little Drummer Boy.

The song with all its “Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum’s” might sound childish and simplistic to many but to me the lyrics carry a lot of meaning. For me, it’s not a song about a fictional character that someone tried to add to the traditional Christmas scene to create a new tradition or a reason for children to dress up. It’s a song about each of us and how we can approach Jesus.

See why.

Be like a child.

Jesus told us to, in our heart, be like children. The Little Drummer Boy is a child but he also embodies childlike faith Jesus wants us to have. Uncomplicated. Genuine, expectant and full of hope for the things he cannot see.

Someone told him to go and see the king, and he went. No questions but open heart and a lot of curiosity.

He was not there.

Little drummer boy wasn’t there at Jesus’ birth and nor were we but it doesn’t mean we are not witnesses of Jesus’ birth. We can see the scene with the eyes of our faith. We can picture ourselves peaking through the stable door.

And in some way, we can see Christmas, Jesus’ birth, every day. In our heart and in the hearts of others.

During Christmas season we’re invited to come and see. We might feel like a random character; a bit lost; wandering into some smelly stable where God knows what is waiting for us. Despite what we, or those around us might think of us, to God we’re not random. We’re invited.

They told me

Those of us who are Jesus’ followers now live with God, but it wasn’t like that always. Someone somewhere invited us to ‘come’.

“Come”, they told me
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A newborn King to see
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum

Little Drummer Boy

If no one has yet told you about the ‘newborn King’ perhaps this blog post is doing that; or maybe, someone sent you a link to this, so you can also ‘come and see’. Like the Little drummer boy we need to respond with faith and curiosity, and go.

I have no gift to bring

Little Drummer Boy has nothing to give to Jesus that Jesus wouldn’t already have. And so do we. We might be poor or rich in this world’s standards but none of that matter to Jesus. We don’t have anything to bring that He doesn’t already have; yet He welcomes our gifts whatever they are, if we give them from pure heart.

Little Drummer Boy plays for Jesus on his drum. He uses whatever he has to make Jesus smile, and this is such an important lesson for us. Don’t try to impress Jesus with anything fancy – He’s got it all and He knows you, but offer Him whatever you have right now.

He smiles at you

Regardless of what we bring to Jesus, he smiles at us. He’s pleased with us. Remember that always – He LOVES you; He wraps His love around you and through you. And He invites you to be like that little drummer boy.

Accepts His invitation and be a little drummer boy or a girl this Christmas and beyond. Go because someone invites you. Play for him because it makes Him happy and give him what you’ve got. He’ll always greet you with a smile and open arms.

As a little Christmas gift, I give you my favourite version of the song.

Can you share your favourite version of the song in the comments?

Does the little drummer boy feel a bit like you? Which of his characteristics do you most identify with? Share in comments.