I love Christmas music!! The glorious melodies, orchestrations, and specific voices that we have come to identify with the music of Christmas are visceral. We hear them and are whisked to a place that, for most of us, is cozy and safe, familiar, and full of wonder. But if I may, I would like to suggest that the familiarity we have with the music overshadows the next level goodness found in the lyrics.

The music soars through our ears and pierces our hearts, but it’s the lyrics that can change our lives.

During the Joy Bringer’s Advent I have chosen specific songs with powerful truths to share with you so that you too can share in my joy.

It begins with one of my least favorite songs. Yup, you read that right – LEAST.

The Little Drummer Boy

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Next to Feliz Navidad, this is my least favorite Christmas song. However, my husband, who isn’t a big Christmas music fan, has been wrecked by this song lately. He cries every time he hears it. Yup, actually cries at The Little Drummer Boy!

So, what is it that gets him?

The little boy approaches Jesus with nothing but his drum. There was nothing flashy about his gift. Was it even a gift? A simple song on his drum. He had nothing else. There was no grand gesture, and yet baby Jesus was pleased.

Often we think we need to be perfect, polished, or have something grand to offer the King. The truth is he simply wants us. When we offer ourselves (and the things we love) to the Lord, He is delighted. We don’t need to make some high and lofty gesture. The little boy loved to play the drum. He didn’t bring gold, he brought himself and his passion.

We don’t have songs about how Jesus was pleased with the gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Wise Men. Not that he wasn’t pleased with those things….but the beautiful and deep truth highlighted in this song is,

what causes God to smile is when we simply bring ourselves to him.

He is worthy of our all – our best.

I pray that during the madness of the season you are able to block out the noise and simply give the King all he wants – you.

You make God smile.

REJOICE!

Season

Joy Bringer’s Advent