This is a video that plays the song that inspired this post!

So, I've been working on my Final Paper for History of Theology and Church for a while now, but have decided to take a break... watched some Monster Quest on History Channel, rested my eyes a bit, etc. Then I decided it was time to continue working, but I have found myself unable to concentrate at the moment. I was shuffling through my music and it came to "The Little Drummer Boy" by The Almost. I just listened to it again, and it hit me pretty strongly... I'm going to share with you the revelation that I received through that song.

As we all know the song is about a poor boy who is invited to pay respects to the new born Joshua (Jesus in our translation), but he feels inadequate because he doesn't have anything worth while to offer as a gift. According to the story of the 3 wise men, they bring marvelous gifts fit for a king, not the drummer. All he has is his drum, and so he plays a song for him. Even though this is a really good Christmas song, it reflects us as humanity, almost perfectly. We, people of God, have nothing to offer that is worth his while. We are blatant sinners, who despise everything Holy, and are just bad people in the eyes of God. However, he accepts us in all of our shortcomings... The grace of God extends down to the lowest of lows and lifts them from the miry clay to the highest of mountains. That's what he does for us, because he loves us... even before we were known to the world, God loved us. He had us in his hands... where our names are written forever.

We may have nothing to offer, but he accepts whatever we give to him... no need to be a millionaire, or the best at anything. He blesses us with specific talents and gifts, and it is our job to exemplify him through those. The little drummer boy had nothing but the ability to play his, most likely, hand drum of some sort (historically), and that was ENOUGH. We get so caught up in being good enough for people, and being better than people, but we need do nothing of the sort. We need to be humble before our God and he will accept us, like he always has... His love is a mystery, don't try to figure it out or you'll lose it.

God smiles at the little drummer boy, as he offers the only thing he has... I implore you to do the same. Give yourself to God, and he will smile and bless you with more than you can imagine.

Peace and Love,
Andy J. Graves