One of my favourite Christmas carols is The Little Drummer boy. We all know the story, or we should at least..... A poor young boy is invited by the magi to join them at the nativity scene to honour the new born king.

I tried my best to imagine the scene. He gets there and he sees the magi taking out there gifts. The first brings gold, the second frankincense, and the last has myrrh; all expensive stuff! It’s now his turn and he immediately tells Baby Jesus, “I am a poor boy too. I have no gift to bring that’s fit to give a king”. He identifies with Jesus’ situation but at the same time he realises that he doesn’t have anything to offer this king.
 
I myself feel like the drummer boy sometimes when I am faced with the presence of the king before me. Love does this to me a lot. When in the presence of another person that embodies love, openness and innocence I can feel extremely daunted, and it opens up all of my vulnerabilities and lack. It’s not the greatest place to be in. I look down at my “drum” and it seems very insignificant. Sometimes I look at others who I believe have the real stuff to give, why don’t you ask them? But it’s in those moments that I feel the eyes of love piercing my heart and saying, “What do you have? What will you bring?”
 
But then the story continues and he offers to play his drum. Mary gives the nod; the ox and lamb keep time, and he plays. He plays his best for the king, hoping that he would like it. At first he isn’t sure, “does he like it? Am I wasting my time?”
 
I know that moment well when it can go either way. I can either be accepted or rejected. But I know I am stepping out on a limb and I am just hoping I don’t crash. I continue to play most times. I give my best and love with all I have.
 
Finally, a smile comes. Baby Jesus approves. This for me is one of the most amazing moments in life. My gift is received and appreciated. The only thing is that it doesn’t always end like in this carol. Sometimes there is rejection, and the drumming goes off; people laugh; I feel embarrassed, I feel hurt, and I drop my sticks. I guess it’s hard to accept the reality that I am not always playing for baby Jesus. The people I try to share love with are broken to, and sometimes they can’t receive or appreciate my playing, but I don’t give up.

I hope that even if our drumming has been shut down that we will find the strength to continue loving. Don’t throw in those sticks! All love has a risk. It isn’t as certain and sure as the movies make it out to be. It’s really hard work and calls for great vulnerability and can end in pain, but let’s learn from the drummer boy. He didn’t have what others did, but he gave his all! And in the end the king loved it. Let’s also pray that we play for the right people, and keep playing till we find love.