The Little Drummer Boy
Are you a lover of Christmas music, but a hater of “The Little Drummer Boy?” If so, you are probably in good company. Perhaps you don’t like it because the melody tends to get redundant, or you just can’t handle all the “Pah-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pums.” If so, I’m forced to agree with you, but have you ever considered the message in the lyrics of the song?
Come, they told him. Come and see the newborn King, and bring your finest gift! But what can a poor boy bring to the King of Kings? He doesn’t have any money to buy a gift, but perhaps he still does have something to offer—the gift of music. And when the infant King heard the music, He smiled.
My students never played for the King of Kings, but they did have many opportunities to give the gift of music. And when they gave their gift, many people smiled.
They dedicated countless hours both at home and in the band room developing the skills necessary to share the gift of music with others, and then gave that gift countless times in concerts throughout the school year.
Each summer they gave up several hours a week preparing their gift of music for thousands along the local parade routes.
They worked for months on the football field, perfecting the visual and musical masterpiece that they shared with friends, family, and fellow competitors.
They braved bitter cold wind and even snow while preparing for the Rose and Macy’s Parades so they could share the gift of music with millions.
They gave up several evenings to show their support for the football and basketball teams with music.
Every December they gave the gift of Christmas music at the local senior citizen’s center, and later in the year gave a concert for the residents of an assisted living center, comprised of the music they grew up listening to.
This holiday season you will have many opportunities to receive musical gifts. You may attend a concert or two. You may hear a live performance while shopping at the mall. You might receive carolers at your doorstep. You may even run into a Salvation Army Santa Claus in front of Wal-Mart making music with his silver bell! When you do, I hope you will remember that gifts aren’t always tangible items. The best gifts are often those that require our time and talent, not our money.
Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.” Perhaps, like the little drummer boy, my students did give their musical gift to the King of Kings after all.
