"The Little Drummer Boy" Inspires- It's More than Just A Song

As hard as it may be to believe, I have three separate conversations about the song, "The Little Drummer Boy" today.  I am taking this to mean, that I am being lead to write about my thoughts on this beloved Christmas carol, so hear it goes.

"The Little Drummer Boy" was written in 1941 by Katherine K. Davis.  Although there is some debate over whether she had other collaborators or how she was inspired to write the song, there is no debate that it is a classical Christmas carol.  For more information on the debate surrounding the composing of the piece, please refer to History? Because it's Here Website .

I have always loved Christmas carols of all sorts.  Some are funny or cute, and some are deeply moving and beloved.  "The Little Drummer Boy" is one that meets both standards.  It is fun to sing, which is why so many children love it, and when you stop to consider the lyrics, it is truly a beautifully written song.

The premise of the song is that a little boy, who is apparently not well off, goes to see the newborn King.  Everyone is bringing gifts, but he realizes he doesn't have a gift that's "fit to give a king", so he offers to play his drum.  With Mary's consent, the boy plays his very best for the baby king-who is delighted by the playing.

Katherine K Davis, never stated what she believed the deeper meaning of the song to be, often stating it just wrote itself, but I have thought of the message of these lyrics often as I was growing up.  The drummer boy was poor, he had nothing that the world would feel was fit to offer a king.  He looked deep inside him and realized that he had a gift he could share.

I think too often, we get caught up in what others think of us, what others have to offer or what others have, period.  We forget that we are all given special, unique gifts by God.  We are called in scripture to use our gifts to the best of our ability.  We are called to use our gifts to serve others, to serve God and to promote his will.  Look at the following verses for example:

• Romans 12:6-9a "We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith.  If it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere"
• 1Peter 4:10  "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of Gods grace in its various forms."
• 1Corinthians 4:2 "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful"

See?  God entrusts each of us with special gifts-multiple gifts that he compiled to create a very specific individual person.  There never has been, nor will there ever be, another person with your exact gifts and talents in the proportions you have them.  Isn't that an incredible thought?  So your responsibility, as well as mine, is to use our gifts to the very best of our abilities and to use them to do good. 

That is exactly what the little drummer boy did-he played his best for baby Jesus!  For the little drummer boy to use his gift, and play his very best for the king, meant more to Jesus than any gift brought by other visitors.  He searches our hearts, and it is what is in our hearts, why we give what we do that matters to him.  Remember the story of the poor woman who gave the last of her money to the church when Jesus came to town?  Not really, you say?  Go back and re-read the gospel of  Mark 12:41-44.  Jesus notes that while she gave less than others, she really gave more because she gave what she had, while others gave out of wealth.

This song has caused me to reflect on whether I use my gifts to the best of my ability for years.  If I am honest, I have to admit, that too often, I don't.  For example, I have had a passion for writing since I was a child.  Since grade school, I have wanted to write a book, but I never have.  In fact, until I started this blog, I did very little to use the gift of writing that I was blessed with.

"The Little Drummer Boy" has been sung and redone many times since 1941, but this year, an A Cappella group called Pentatonix has put together a rendition that is taking over the viral world, and it's easy to see why.  The group sings with passion and the lyrics simple, but beautiful message is highlighted by the A Cappella singing.  Give it a listen, then think about whether you have played your best for Christ this season.