“The Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth)”

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If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time it won’t come as a surprise that I love listening to music–especially Christmas music. There are so many lessons and reminders tucked away in the lyrics of many of our favorite Christmas songs. This year I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite Christmas songs with you and something that I’ve learned from the particular song or an encouraging story that the song reminds me of. I hope that you find as much joy and encouragement from these little song posts as I have thinking about and writing them.

Growing up I always knew who Bing Crosby was. In fact I was one of very few people in my age group that had not only heard the name but could also pick out a face and voice. I’ve watched “White Christmas” and “Holiday Inn” (in both black and white and color) at least once a year, minimum. And I’m pretty sure we own nearly every single Bing Crosby Christmas album that’s ever been made. To me, Bing Crosby is the voice of Christmas (well, we can’t forget “The Carpenter’s Christmas Portrait” or Andy Williams’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”), but you get the point.

Last year we found a new Bing Crosby album titled “Christmas Classics” and it’s quickly become one of our family’s favorites. It’s a duet that Bing Crosby sings with David Bowie and it’s just as good as it sounds

One of the songs that’s on the album is my Mom’s favorite Christmas song—“The Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth)”.

I want you to pause and go listen to the song. Purchase it here or go on YouTube and search “Bing Crosby and David Bowie The Little Drummer Boy”.Once you’ve listened to the song, come on back and I’ll share some thoughts with you…Don’t worry, I’ll wait… (:

Okay, now that you’ve heard the song there’s a few things that I’d like to share with you…This year in particular I’ve really been drawn to the song “The Little Drummer Boy”. Faith Hill and Josh Groban have really good versions. I think the thing sticks out to me the most about this song is that the little drummer boy wanted to give something to Baby Jesus, but what? He didn’t have anything worthy of a king. So, he took what He had—his drum, played his best, and then Baby Jesus SMILED.

I don’t know about you but SO often I feel like I need to be somebody famous in order to make a difference. I need to do something big for God. Y’all, that’s a LIE. God created each and every one of us with a unique plan and purpose. We each have a unique job to do (See Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10). Not everyone is made to do huge things. We need people to work at Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and Speedway, just like we need doctors, lawyers, and entertainers. One of the new-to-me songs that I discovered this year that speaks to this is Donny Osmond’s ”Soldier’s King”. (Yes, I know about him and Marie too).

I love the fact that the little drummer boy took what he had, did his best and gave it to God. That’s just what each of us needs to be doing with our own lives. What do we have that we can give back to God?  It’s really that simple. Doing everything that we do to the glory of God; we aren’t working for man’s approval, we’re working for God’s (see Colossians 3:23 + Galatians 1:10).

I don’t believe that we’ll ever actually see peace on earth in the sense that we think of peace; no wars, no anger, etc. I think the peace that Jesus talks about when He says “Peace I leave with you” (John 14:27) is an inner peace that each of us chooses to experience. God offers us a supernatural peace—a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). It’s trusting that God is the One who is in control. Knowing that everything that we go through has a purpose for our good and ultimately His glory (Romans 8:28). It’s trusting that He is who He says He is in the good moments and the bad.

However that doesn’t mean that we as Christians should just sit back and let whatever happens happen. We have an obligation to live in peace with all men—as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18). One of my favorite lines in the whole song is the second verse where they both sing about how children must be made aware, made to care for their fellow man.

Maybe if each one of us strove to do our best with what we have for the glory of God and made ourselves aware of our fellow man…aware enough to care…to love our fellow man like Jesus loves us. Wholly, unconditionally, for who we are (Romans 15:7). Then maybe, just maybe the world would be a better, nicer, more loving place to be…

Until next time,

Bailey Sue