Friday, December 23, 2011

Carol of the Drum

Come they told me,

A new born King to see,

Our finest gifts we bring,

To lay before the King,

To honor Him when we come.

Little Baby,

I am a poor boy too,

I have no gift to bring,

That is fit to give a King

Shall I play for you on my drum?

Mary nodded,

The ox and the lamb kept time,

I played my drum for him,

I played my best for him,

Then he smiled at me, me and my drum.

These lyrics put you at the scene of the birth of Jesus. It is easy to imagine you are the drummer. Hesitant, unsure, excited, wondering if it is appropriate to play an instrument instead of presenting a gift, in which you have no gift, except yourself. The drummer offers himself to Jesus, all that he is and all that he has. The song’s lyrics brings tears to my eyes: The thought of having nothing to bring of value fit for a King except offering up yourself and the talent of playing an instrument touches my heart and soul. All he receives back is a smile and that is all that is needed.

I think of what I have to bring before a King.

The Magi:

On coming to the house, saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

God’s gift

The Birth of Jesus, the birth of a Savior.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.

Just as the drummer offered himself up to the baby Jesus, Jesus has offered himself to you. Accept Jesus into your heart:

Come just as you are.

Hear the spirit call.

Come and see, come receive, come and live forever.

Life everlasting, and strength for today, taste the living water and never thirst again.

Merry Christmas!!!

BerryBlueBerry