My daughter can play Little Drummer Boy on the piano and I love to listen. It’s been a favorite since I was young and Christmas mania was in stark contrast with what my family could afford. The boy in the song has nothing to bring Jesus, except a song and baby Jesus smiles. “I am a poor boy too,” spoke to me of the dignity of people, all people, and how Jesus didn’t choose to be rich because that’s not what’s important.
It’s easy to feel like money puts us on the map, but equating money with significance is painful. I remember walking into stores in the mall as a teenager and feeling like everyone could tell by my clothes I was “just looking.” I felt shame. I felt like a waste of the sales people’s time. I imagined their disappointment and wished I could become invisible.
Into those eewy-guey where-can-I-hide feelings, came this song. I know the boy says the line, but I always imagined Jesus saying it to me, “I am a poor boy too.” I’m sure He touched soft, beautiful things that were for sale, and felt sadness knowing He couldn’t have them. He knows about being written off because you don’t have nice things and He sees past trappings to what’s really going on. How’s your heart? Do you have a song to sing? A song to share? Then it doesn’t matter does it?
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
Jesus’ birth marked the beginning of the end of the dark kingdom that sorts people by economic status, race, sex, intelligence, orientation, charisma and appearance. The kingdom Jesus established counts everyone as worthy and that means you. Don’t be afraid to sing your song this Christmas. Whatever gift God gave you to offer the world will bring joy to hearts, and what’s better than that?
