The Little Drummer Boy

 

A while back one of my Facebook friends posed the question: "What is your least favorite Christmas song?" He got many answers, and most people listed a handful. One that was listed several times was "The Little Drummer Boy."

 People seem to have two main reasons for not liking it: They say it isn't Scriptural (neither is Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, but I like it too)  - and the "pa rum pum pum pums" annoy them. Try listening to Johnny Cash's version and you will miss them.... I guarantee it  :-)

  I've always liked the song. Growing up, I don't remember my parents having a lot of Christmas recordings. Back then, what we did have were 8-track cassettes and records. One I do remember was the Harry Simone Choral, and it had The Little Drummer Boy on the record. I still think of those simpler and easier days when I hear the song.

  The Bible doesn't give any evidence of a drummer being at the manger, and though there most likely wasn't one, who knows for sure? And its not like a major theological issue that's going to endanger souls or split churches. Its just a cool Christmas song.

  And if we get too caught up in what we don't like about the song, we miss the point of the song. Here is what I get out of the song: We all aren't like the wise men, who brought him expensive gifts. Most of us are like the drummer boy, who don't have much to give our Savior. All he had was a song that he played on the drum. Granted, had he been for real, he most likely would have awakened the baby Jesus after Mary got him to sleep......

  All God wants is us. Our hearts. He's not impressed with big expensive things. He wants us. Our hearts, our lives, our talents. The little drummer boy only had a song to give him, so that's what he gave. His all. And that's all we have to give.

  So next time you hear The Little Drummer Boy playing, don't think about it not being Scriptural, or how the "pa rum pum pum pums" annoy you, but think about what you're going to give Jesus this year. It doesn't hurt to give Him something for His birthday. If He has your heart already, then give Him something else. Maybe like the drummer boy, all you have to give is a song. If so, do the best on it you can possibly do. He will be pleased.

  There is a great version of the song that has become popular this year, and I see even "drummer boy haters" admitting they like it. It is by an a cappella group named Pentatonix. I don't like a cappella, but this is the way it should be done: