While I was driving home today, I was listening to music.

Even though it’s not Christmas anymore, I still listen to Christmas music sometimes.

“The Little Drummer Boy” came on.

The story is of a little boy who was orphaned when robbers came and broke into his home at night, taking the lives of his parents.

He alone escaped, along with some dear animals, one of which was a lamb.

Shortly before the intruders’ attack, the boy had been given a drum by his parents for his birthday.

He had that with him, as well.

Wandering the dessert and finding himself angry and bitter about his parents’ fate, he began to feel hatred toward all people.

Toward the end of the story, he finds himself in Bethlehem, with crowds everywhere, due to the census that had been proclaimed.

A speeding wagon accidentally hits his little lamb.

He is heartbroken, once again.

People are gathering around a certain place, looking at a mother and her newborn baby.

Gifts are being brought to the child.

The boy approaches, having nothing to give.

Quietly, he takes out his drum and begins to play.

His talent and his heart are all he has to give.

As he plays, the baby Jesus smiles at him.

Then, one of the three wise men who had also come bringing a gift, speaks to the boy.

He tells him that Jesus must have liked the boy’s gift best of all.

Hearing this, he sees that his little injured lamb is completely well.

At this point, so is the boy’s heart.

The song lyrics state,

“I have no gift to bring, pa rum pa pum pum
That’s fit to give our King…”

What gift does our King desire today?

What do you have to bring to Jesus?

If your talents and your heart are all you have to give, isn’t that what will make Him smile?

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My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;
    you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

—Psalm 51:17

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