This will be my last post here for a week or so as I'm heading on a southern vacation, an escape from Canada's cold and dreary winter.
Mine is a journey back to faith, one that has been going on for about the past twelve years. And its a journey that has become more intentional over the past year and a half, starting in the summer of 2018 when I was introduced to a new church, a new style of worship and ultimately a desire for a better understanding of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
My observations are likely nothing new to many, and for that I apologise in advance. The act of writing them out though helps me organize my thoughts and at times uncover even more layers of meaning.
The latest glimpse of understanding comes from that familiar Christmas song, 'The Little Drummer Boy'. For the first time I have committed the lyrics to memory, I always knew them but not by heart....I'd have to hear the first couple lines and then I'd know what came next. And I am now understanding these words in a way I never did before. In some ways, perhaps in many ways, I can see myself as the little drummer boy.
As the song goes the drummer boy is told to come, to see the new born King. He is told that people are bringing 'their finest gifts'....and looking to Matthew's gospel we can see that the Magi brought gold, incense and myrrh. Putting this in a modern context we see people today bringing their finest gifts...talents of great oratory and sermonizing, or great music, even great movies like this summer's Overcomer. These gifts aren't presented in the same fashion as in the song of course, laid down before Him. But when the gifts of music, oratory, film making and many others are given in such a way that all honor and glory are to God, then I consider them very much the same.
I've often heard it said that Jesus meets us 'where we're at'.....the fact that God sent Himself, His only begotten son, The Word made flesh to dwell among us speaks to this fact.
In the song the drummer boy sees the infant Jesus meeting him where he is at....a poor boy. A poor boy without gifts to compare to treasures like gold, incense and myrrh. That sounds a lot like me....I hear the music, am touched by the sermons, listen to stirring testimonies and I think 'what do I have to offer'. All I have is a little drum....one that's been beaten and battered. But I can play it, and though the sound might not be perfect I can play it to the best of my ability.
Should I be worried that some might snigger at my meager gift? I shouldn't, but its part of my broken and fallen nature that I do. I want to be well regarded by my fellow human beings, for people to say 'now that is a good man'. But scripture warns me that in craving that attention, that in seeking approval from others I am getting my reward, and that is not the reward that is to be most prized.
That's about it. I'll close this off with a video of the song with scenes from the old TV animated Christmas special. For those unfamilar, its done in the style of the old 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Christmas' special....but I would guess with a much lower budget, the animation is really sketchy. I recall it showing regularily each year in the 1970s when I was growing up, airing on network TV. I don't believe its gotten much if any broad based play in 20+ years however, probably due to its overt Christian message. I remember Saturday/Sunday morning TV with the old Davey & Goliath TV show, another show that has gone down the memory hole in our rush to secularization.
Blessings all, see you again in 2020
Mine is a journey back to faith, one that has been going on for about the past twelve years. And its a journey that has become more intentional over the past year and a half, starting in the summer of 2018 when I was introduced to a new church, a new style of worship and ultimately a desire for a better understanding of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
My observations are likely nothing new to many, and for that I apologise in advance. The act of writing them out though helps me organize my thoughts and at times uncover even more layers of meaning.
The latest glimpse of understanding comes from that familiar Christmas song, 'The Little Drummer Boy'. For the first time I have committed the lyrics to memory, I always knew them but not by heart....I'd have to hear the first couple lines and then I'd know what came next. And I am now understanding these words in a way I never did before. In some ways, perhaps in many ways, I can see myself as the little drummer boy.
As the song goes the drummer boy is told to come, to see the new born King. He is told that people are bringing 'their finest gifts'....and looking to Matthew's gospel we can see that the Magi brought gold, incense and myrrh. Putting this in a modern context we see people today bringing their finest gifts...talents of great oratory and sermonizing, or great music, even great movies like this summer's Overcomer. These gifts aren't presented in the same fashion as in the song of course, laid down before Him. But when the gifts of music, oratory, film making and many others are given in such a way that all honor and glory are to God, then I consider them very much the same.
I've often heard it said that Jesus meets us 'where we're at'.....the fact that God sent Himself, His only begotten son, The Word made flesh to dwell among us speaks to this fact.
In the song the drummer boy sees the infant Jesus meeting him where he is at....a poor boy. A poor boy without gifts to compare to treasures like gold, incense and myrrh. That sounds a lot like me....I hear the music, am touched by the sermons, listen to stirring testimonies and I think 'what do I have to offer'. All I have is a little drum....one that's been beaten and battered. But I can play it, and though the sound might not be perfect I can play it to the best of my ability.
Should I be worried that some might snigger at my meager gift? I shouldn't, but its part of my broken and fallen nature that I do. I want to be well regarded by my fellow human beings, for people to say 'now that is a good man'. But scripture warns me that in craving that attention, that in seeking approval from others I am getting my reward, and that is not the reward that is to be most prized.
That's about it. I'll close this off with a video of the song with scenes from the old TV animated Christmas special. For those unfamilar, its done in the style of the old 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Christmas' special....but I would guess with a much lower budget, the animation is really sketchy. I recall it showing regularily each year in the 1970s when I was growing up, airing on network TV. I don't believe its gotten much if any broad based play in 20+ years however, probably due to its overt Christian message. I remember Saturday/Sunday morning TV with the old Davey & Goliath TV show, another show that has gone down the memory hole in our rush to secularization.
Blessings all, see you again in 2020
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