There are three Christmas carols that are my most favorite. Each song is beautiful, but when sung by certain people can make the hair on your arms stand up at attention! "Carol of the Bells" performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the passionate rendition of "O Holy Night" by David Phelps are two at the top of my list. Most especially, I love, love, love.... "The Little Drummer Boy" perfected by the Simpson sisters, Jessica and Ashley.
Have you ever just listened to the lyrics? Sure we sing the ancient tale mechanically. We teach it to our kids because they are captivated by the "pa rum pum pum." Each time I hear that song, my mind instantly plays the scene of the 3 Kings traveling a long distance just to bring gifts to the newborn King. I picture the the backdrop, a lowly stable and the very young mother presented with the Ultimate Gift. And of course, the beggarly boy confidently playing his drum...the fictional, picturesque allegory that would be retold in music for years to come.
This particular carol was written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. Originally called "Carol of the Drum, it was recorded in 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This version was re-released successfully for several years and the song has been recorded many times since. (Wikkipedia)
As I was listening to this blessed tale, I began to compare the story to modern-day life. The stable, humble, unassuming. No one would ever think to look inside for a king, for The King. Yet, He chooses to live within us, to use us to bring Him glory! We, who are ordinary, chosen for greatness. The baby boy was visited by 3 kings with priceless gifts to honor Him because even they, in their most superior positions on earth, recognized His greatness.
Then, the finale. The impoverished child, who realized his state of lack, played boldly before the King. The song says, "I played my best for Him!" This line struck a cord with me so to speak! He knew he wasn't worthy. He knew he had nothing of material means to offer, but after gaining permission from the new mother, the young boy gave back the gift of music that was so freely given to him.
That, my friend, is exactly what we are to do as Christians; it is what we are expected to do. To take the gifts and talents so generously bestowed on us to bring Our King honor and glory. I've always admired those who can sing so beautifully, those who play majestically, and even those who dance the dance of lords. We have to acknowledge who we were made to be and the talents in our lives. Perhaps it is cooking, or drawing, or organization. All of these endowments are what I like to think of as Kingdom gifts. You can cook for the sick or the elderly, draw and paint pictures that reflect God's love for us or the beauty of His creation. Organization is much needed in the Church as is the ability to manage money and time. Nothing is given to us haphazardly or by chance. We have a job to do and the tools were provided at the moment of our conception. Remember John the Baptist "lept in his mother's womb when Marry arrived impregnated with our Savior. (Luke 1:41) King David proclaimed that in Psalm 8:2, "You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you."
I grew up poor. Well, a child of modest means may be more accurate. We didn't have the best of everything, but we never went without what we needed and mostly wanted. I remember one Christmas my parents had to wait until Christmas Eve to buy our gifts. My little sister, afraid we may not have Christmas at all, went into our bedroom and wrapped one of her toys for each of us and proudly placed them under the tree. So giving, so charitably, expecting nothing in return. As adults, we are instructed to be as little children. To love innocently, to praise with abandonment, to give unselfishly. In Luke 18:16, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. "
The fictitious, Little Drummer Boy, the biggest example of Him.
Matthew 18:2-4, "Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."
Have you ever just listened to the lyrics? Sure we sing the ancient tale mechanically. We teach it to our kids because they are captivated by the "pa rum pum pum." Each time I hear that song, my mind instantly plays the scene of the 3 Kings traveling a long distance just to bring gifts to the newborn King. I picture the the backdrop, a lowly stable and the very young mother presented with the Ultimate Gift. And of course, the beggarly boy confidently playing his drum...the fictional, picturesque allegory that would be retold in music for years to come.
This particular carol was written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. Originally called "Carol of the Drum, it was recorded in 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This version was re-released successfully for several years and the song has been recorded many times since. (Wikkipedia)
As I was listening to this blessed tale, I began to compare the story to modern-day life. The stable, humble, unassuming. No one would ever think to look inside for a king, for The King. Yet, He chooses to live within us, to use us to bring Him glory! We, who are ordinary, chosen for greatness. The baby boy was visited by 3 kings with priceless gifts to honor Him because even they, in their most superior positions on earth, recognized His greatness.
Then, the finale. The impoverished child, who realized his state of lack, played boldly before the King. The song says, "I played my best for Him!" This line struck a cord with me so to speak! He knew he wasn't worthy. He knew he had nothing of material means to offer, but after gaining permission from the new mother, the young boy gave back the gift of music that was so freely given to him.
That, my friend, is exactly what we are to do as Christians; it is what we are expected to do. To take the gifts and talents so generously bestowed on us to bring Our King honor and glory. I've always admired those who can sing so beautifully, those who play majestically, and even those who dance the dance of lords. We have to acknowledge who we were made to be and the talents in our lives. Perhaps it is cooking, or drawing, or organization. All of these endowments are what I like to think of as Kingdom gifts. You can cook for the sick or the elderly, draw and paint pictures that reflect God's love for us or the beauty of His creation. Organization is much needed in the Church as is the ability to manage money and time. Nothing is given to us haphazardly or by chance. We have a job to do and the tools were provided at the moment of our conception. Remember John the Baptist "lept in his mother's womb when Marry arrived impregnated with our Savior. (Luke 1:41) King David proclaimed that in Psalm 8:2, "You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you."
I grew up poor. Well, a child of modest means may be more accurate. We didn't have the best of everything, but we never went without what we needed and mostly wanted. I remember one Christmas my parents had to wait until Christmas Eve to buy our gifts. My little sister, afraid we may not have Christmas at all, went into our bedroom and wrapped one of her toys for each of us and proudly placed them under the tree. So giving, so charitably, expecting nothing in return. As adults, we are instructed to be as little children. To love innocently, to praise with abandonment, to give unselfishly. In Luke 18:16, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. "
The fictitious, Little Drummer Boy, the biggest example of Him.
Matthew 18:2-4, "Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."
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