One of my favorite Christmas songs is Little Drummer Boy penned by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. Here are the lyrics:
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 the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,Shall I play for you, pa rum pum 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 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.
Why do I love this song? Because of the meaning. This little drummer boy wanted to give a gift to Jesus, but he had nothing but the talent to play his drum. So he did. And he did it well. And Jesus was pleased.
It’s sad to hear someone say that they are unworthy of God: of his love and acceptance. Unworthy in any way. How are we to decide if we are unworthy. This is a confusion of perception. God sees us differently than who we see ourselves, and he sees us worthy of him. That’s why he sent Jesus in the first place. To break the barrier of sin that was keeping us from him. So, because of Jesus, we are worthy and able to be with God. And he’s inviting us to be with him with open arms. And not open arms nailed to the cross. Open arms for a hug to embrace us with love.
Update:
A video of Jars of Clay performing Little Drummer Boy live.
