Peace on Earth

by Elizabeth Cole

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Luke 2:13-14 (NASB)

Finding peace on earth during Christmas could be quite challenging this year. Mamas and their littles displaced from their Syrian homes; governments in crisis; Indonesian earthquakes and Pakistani plane crashes; another terrorist arrested in Rotterdam.

 While Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “Christmas Bells” over 150 years ago during the Civil War, its last stanza is as bold and true as ever:

“And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep!

The Wrong shall fail,

the Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

The earthy manger held God Himself - - bearing witness to the fact that He is an attentive Promise keeper who would go to extreme lengths to bring reconciliation and peace to His created.

The earthy cross held God Himself - - bearing witness to the fact that He would Himself defeat Wrong and death…for us, in our place.

The earthy tomb couldn’t  hold God Himself - - bearing witness to the fact that He is alive and returning someday, not as a baby, but as a Victor. Right will prevail, He will make this world new and all will be as it should…in peace.

Beloved, we know the end of the story. And as we wait in the “now and not yet,” let us bear witness to what we know to be true. Christ, who is our peace, is here now…and someday, He will bring complete peace on earth. Hold on.

GOING DEEPER:

1.      If you are sensing despair this Christmas, how does the fact of Christ’s victory on the cross and in the future impact you?

2.      What are some practical ways you can bear witness this Christmastime to the peace knowing Jesus gives…despite circumstances?

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 15:20-24, 55-57; Ephesians 2:14-17; Revelation 21:1-5

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

A Weary World Rejoices

By Elin Henderson

“…a word in season to him [or her] who is weary…”

Isaiah 50:4a (NKJV)

I can’t think of a better word to describe our world today. People are weary. Weary of worry... weary of hurting…weary of war…weary of hunger…weary of “keeping up with the Joneses.” The church is not immune to this. Many pastors today are weary in their pulpits, wondering, “Is my message getting through?” Laypeople likewise are weary of being in this world but not of it, longing to make a difference but wondering how. Sometimes we can grow weary in our Christian walks…we struggle onward, keeping up appearances, but inwardly knowing that we aren’t where we would like to be.

What do weary people need? Rest, refreshment, relief, and how about some rejoicing?! “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy….” In the person of Jesus, born in a manger so long ago…. we can rejoice today in who HE is, and what HE has done for us. He is “the shadow of a rock in a weary land”(Isaiah 32:2, NIV). When life becomes dry and empty, He is our shade and protection! He is our “good shepherd” (John 10:11) bringing our weary souls back into the fold of His love and care. He is literally our rest: “This is the rests with which you may cause the weary to rest…” (Isaiah 28:12, NIV). He “…neither faints nor is weary.” He is unstoppable.

What does He do for us? He “…satiates the weary soul” (Jeremiah 31:25, NIV). He alone satisfies us. He fills us up when we are empty! He carries the heavy stuff for us: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me…you will find rest for your souls”(Matthew11:28-29, NIV). He is our powerhouse: “He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might…” (Isaiah 40:29, NIV) He renews our strength: “they shall run and not be weary…walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).

Our world is weary…weary of striving and weary of trying. May the message of who Christ is and what He has done (and still does) for us bring rejoicing to our own hearts. May we in turn share this good news of great joy with the weary world around us.

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. Can you think of anyone in the Bible, or a friend who knows Christ, who experienced weariness? (Hint: look in your Bible concordance at the back for biblical stories of David, Elijah, Job….)
2. How did who HE was and what HE did refresh them?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 6:9; Psalms 116:7

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with Ethnos 360 in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eighteen-year-old Callie and fifteen-year-old Elias.

Overwhelmed

By Lexi Ellis

“…I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.”

2 Corinthians 7:4b, (MSG, paraphrase)

A few years ago, there was an unexpected opportunity for me professionally, though the timing sure didn’t seem ideal. For the few that knew what was going on, “overwhelmed” became the word  to describe what I was experiencing professionally and feeling emotionally. In the midst of it all, I heard a song on the radio that prompted me to reevaluate the word.

“I hear the sound of Your Voice
All at once it’s a gentle and thundering noise oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You” [1]

Not the word!  It was supposed to be synonymous with alone, worry, stressed. And yet, over and over again, this song proclaimed it as a positive, one that demonstrated God’s unfathomable goodness.

Curious, I went to Scripture, searching for uses of the word. The first two uses I found fit “my definition” perfectly: “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:4, NIV).  “Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me” (Psalm 55:5, NIV).

Then I got to the New Testament translations and paraphrases… When referring to Jesus, “People were overwhelmed with amazement...” (Mark 7:37a, NIV).  Elizabeth’s “neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her” (Luke 1: 58, MSG, paraphrase). And in the verse above, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, overwhelmed with joy.

All of a sudden, my definition seemed limited; I was missing the other half. The realities of our situations and the emotions don’t necessarily get easier. But we can’t stop at exclusively seeing our own circumstances. How much more overwhelming is the goodness of God? How much more overwhelming is His gift of sending Himself to reconcile the relationship with us?

“All that You’ve done is so overwhelming
I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed by You” [1]

In the midst of feeling defeated, we are called to be reminded that we are overwhelmingly covered by God’s goodness. The real and big “overwhelmed-ness” I felt with my circumstances and emotions meant that the love God lavishes is even more. The depths of His grace are so much greater…unfathomable and overwhelmingly. 

Going Deeper:

1.    Make a moment to identify what overwhelms you. Don’t invalidate the struggles but recognized how much more overwhelming God’s goodness is.

2.    Click HERE to listen to the song. What phrases of this more complete definition of “overwhelmed” is meaningful for you?

Further Reading:

1 John 3:1; Psalm 107:1; Romans 8:28

Lexi’s family consists of her, her husband, Andrew, her daughter, Sloane, and her dog, Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries.

[1] Big Daddy Weave, Album: Love Come to Life, “I’m Overwhelmed by You” ©2012; http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bigdaddyweave/overwhelmed.html

Embracing Today
By Sarah Walker

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

When I was in middle school, several of the margins of my notebooks contained two words: “If only…” I was looking for a way to escape my reality. The “if onlys” of life had gripped me. If only I fit in. If only it was a few years down the road. If only I was out of this season of life. If only I had self-esteem. If only…

Sometimes, we find ourselves reacting the same way I did. Sometimes, we choose to wish away our current life situation, singularly focused on the “if onlys.” Other times, we obsess over waiting for tomorrow to come, just biding our time until our situations change. We might tell ourselves…When this happens, then I will choose to live again.

Sometimes we are so focused on what we can’t do - - that we miss out on what we can do in our current situation. In my third trimester of pregnancy, there have been days when I have barely been able to move around my house. Some of those days, I have given in to the despair and a bleak outlook. But other days, I have chosen to ask myself… What can I do today?  It might not be much, but there is usually something I can accomplish. Even if it is as simple as reading a story to my three-year-old on the couch, I must choose to see that as doing something.

Whether or not you like where life finds you now, God is with you. Right where you are at. You don’t need the situation to improve or the future to arrive for God to be with you. Jesus came all those years ago and was given the name Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” He came so He could be with us in our todays. Yes, He will be with us in our tomorrows too, but there are moments in today where He desires to reveal Himself to us. In those moments, we have a choice of whether or not we respond to Him. Will we do what He is asking us to do…today?

Regardless of the “if onlys” and the “when tomorrow comes” ways of thinking that might tempt us, Jesus is with us in whatever our today looks like. After all, Jesus is our Immanuel - - our God with us - - today.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Where do you see God in your current situation?

2.    Even if the list of “cannots” feels long, what can  you do today?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:34, James 4:13-17, Hebrews 3:13

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer and are expecting to welcome their third son in January.

Luke 2:1-20 (ESV)

Merry Christmas! May the incredible gift of our God born as a baby and sent to restore our broken relationship with God never grow old or mundane.  What an amazing story we celebrate today!

”In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Worthy Souls

By Vernette Kureck

                                                           

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

John 3:17-18 [NIV] 

Christmas. It is that time of year to truly celebrate the birth of Jesus. The bright lights and colorful decorations point to a special happening. The listening and singing of carols put a melody in my heart and uplift my soul. One of my favorites is “Oh Holy Night.” Read some of the lyrics below.

“Oh, holy night! The stars are brightly shining. 

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

‘til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices...”

God loved the world so much that He gave us His one and only Son…Jesus. The stars are still shining, and our world is still sinful. But that phrase, “the soul felt its worth” is worth commenting on, for soul worth is a lot different than self-worth. Self-worth is all about me and my place in this sinful world; soul worth is all about Him, and my place in His Holy Kingdom. 

The soul, that immortal invisible essence that makes us who we are, is pining for spiritual birth. God’s value of our souls is expressed in Jesus’ appearance. When we believe and invite Jesus to be our Savior and Lord, our soul feels its worth. Our bodies will decay, but our souls are intact. The sinful self is diminished and there is rejoicing - - in heaven and earth. There is no condemnation; there is new life. 

Yes, Jesus came to give us life. And Jesus is coming again. Not as a baby, but as the awaited King of Kings with great power and glory. No one knows the time, but we are all called to be watching and waiting. It may be a holy night or it may be a holy day. But all eyes will be on Him: Immanuel, the Lamb, the Redeemer, the Shepherd, King of the Nations, the Alpha and Omega, and the Lover of our souls. Be ready. Fall on your knees.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Listen to the carol “Oh Holy Night” here.

2.  Are you ready to fall on your knees and worship the King?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 24 & 25

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 50 years. They have been blessed with two sons and eight grandchildren. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain and with Family Promise.   

How He Came
By Sarah Walker

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14b (ESV)

At this time of year, we often hear how Jesus came to earth as an infant. And there is complete truth in this. But being pregnant at Christmastime this year, I have found myself considering that while Jesus did come to earth as a baby…He, in fact, arrived sooner than His birth. In both Matthew and Luke, the two Gospels which contain the story surrounding the birth of Jesus, we hear about His conception. We are told the details around how He came to earth, but His arrival didn’t begin the day of His birth.

He was present in Mary’s womb, where she carried Him for nine months before anyone else got to meet Him. He chose to arrive as a zygote…a fertilized egg…a fetus. Call it what you will, and regardless of the precise specifics around how it happened, Jesus made His incarnation first known in the tiniest form of life possible. Often overlooked today, He was present in the most helpless of human forms inside Mary’s womb, as fully God and fully man. He arrived humbly and unseen, more like a seed planted and hidden away to grow.

In much the same way, Jesus often starts His work in us as a tiny seed which first gets planted and hidden away where no one can see it. But over time, no one can deny its presence. His work in us starts as something small and barely perceptible, yet something that requires the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit to accomplish. Then, over time, the seed that He plants may begin to grow. It may grow so that we can no longer deny its presence. Those closest to us may become aware of the changes. Next, the seed may grow so that anyone who looks at us notices a difference in us. Eventually, what started out as a small seed is birthed, and the world encounters God in a new way.

Even when no one else was aware of it, Jesus came and dwelt in Mary. So too will He come into our own lives, making Himself known first in the smallest of forms. And then growing until the time is right for Him to be revealed through us to those around us.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    What seeds has the Holy Spirit planted in your own life? If you haven’t yet seen them come to fruition, ask God to give you His insight and appreciation for the growth He is doing in your life.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35, Matthew 13:31-32

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer and are expecting to welcome their third son in January.

Flawed Yet Loved
By Sarah Walker

She: Do not gaze at me because I am dark
because the sun has looked upon me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
they made me keeper of the vineyards,
but my own vineyard I have not kept!
Tell me, you whom my soul loves,
where you pasture your flock,
where you make it lie down at noon;
for why should I be like one who veils herself
beside the flocks of your companions?

He: If you do not know,
O most beautiful among women…
Song of Solomon 1:6-8a (ESV)

The Song of Solomon is a beautiful piece of poetry about two lovers. While there are many ways to read this book, one possible way is to look at it as the love between Jesus and us (believers in Him). With that in mind, it seems there is something of value we can learn from this exchange. The woman finds herself undesirable, yet the man tosses aside her self-made assessments and declares his love for her anyways.

At times, we also find ourselves focused on our flaws and shortcomings and arrive at the conclusion that we are undesirable to Jesus. We feel we have to make ourselves better in order to gain the love of Jesus. We have to look better, act better, or be more like the people around us if we want Jesus to give us even a second look. Like the woman in this book whose soul was in love with the man, we might admit that our soul is in love with Jesus, yet we may be too focused on all the ways that we are undesirable, and why someone else would be a better companion for Him.

Yes, we are flawed. Yes, we need redemption and forgiveness. And yes, we are loved by the very One our soul loves. When we look at our flaws, we too might question why Jesus loves us the way He does. When we look at how He loves us, right in the midst of our flaws, we too might notice a disconnect. But rather than letting that disconnect draw us away from Jesus because we are not worthy of Him…may we let it draw us towards Him because of His unfathomable love for us.

Oh friends, what would it take to put our self-doubts aside for even just a moment to hear what Jesus wants us to hear? Even if we don’t see it…He loves us. He cherishes us. He calls us beautiful.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Which will you focus on more today: Your value based on your flaws or your value that Jesus, the lover of your soul, places on you?

FURTHER READING:
John 3:16-17; Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 3:14-19

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer and are expecting to welcome their third son in January.

Lessons From the Barnyard

By Jeannine Sawall

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

John 10:27-28 (NIV)

Do you ever wonder why the Lord calls us His sheep? There are a lot of lessons we can learn about our Christian walk from the barnyard if we just stop and look for a moment. Sheep are animals who long to be with their Shepherd. When he calls, they respond. They love to be in community with other sheep and don’t often wander from the flock. They are content to just sit and graze on the lush grass and will only move on when the Shepherd calls to the flock. And a sheep desires to be clean. They try to avoid the thickets that will catch in their wool and entrap them. If they get mud on them, they do whatever they have to to clean the mud off their wool, unlike a pig, who likes to stay and wallow in the mud.  

As Christians, it would do our spiritual lives good if we adopted “sheeply” behaviors. When the Lord calls, do we respond immediately? Do we recognize His voice above all others? Do we long to be in the company of other believers encouraging one another? And if we have wandered off, do we respond as soon as we hear His voice and hurry back? Do we find His Word nourishment on a daily basis and contentedly take in the lessons He’s teaching us until He moves us forward? And how do we deal with the sin in our lives? Do we avoid the temptations that easily ensnare and entangle us, or do we head straight for the thicket? When we find ourselves in sin, do we casually excuse it with the phrase "Everyone sins!" and continue in the filth like a pig, or do we do whatever it takes to turn 180 degrees, remove the dirt from us and continue to sin no more? 

The Lord calls us His sheep for a good reason. They provide a vivid image on how to respond to our Lord. Sheep long to be with each other and the Shepherd more than anything else. And even if we wander, the Shepherd comes after us, wanting us to respond to His promptings. We need to go no further than a barnyard to learn these spiritual lessons. The Shepherd is calling to us; it's our privilege to respond like a sheep to His voice.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How do you respond when you hear the Good Shepherd’s voice calling you?

2.  What do you do when you find yourself in sin?

FURTHER READING:

John 10:11; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 23:1-6

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

The Benefit of the Doubt

By Susan Klein

“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.”

Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

Visiting a friend with small children, I noticed the two-year-old starting to act up while her mother and I talked. First, she refused to do something her mother asked, then she threw her toys, which was followed by flinging herself on the floor in what appeared to be a display of defiance. Not knowing this little one very well, I assumed she was either upset that I had her mother’s attention, or she was just choosing to be naughty. I was wrong.

Her father entered the room, assessed the situation and then asked his wife if she thought the girl was hungry. Her mother replied affirmatively and asked her husband to please bring her some food.

Really? Hungry? This hardly seemed plausible to me.

The father brought her a favored snack and set it next to her. “Watch,” he said, sitting next to me. At first, the toddler pushed it away angrily.

Guess he was wrong! I surmised.

Sensing my skepticism, her father just sat and smiled. Then he spoke, “Just wait...” After a few more pushes, the girl relented, picked up the food and began eating. In a brief amount of time, her cherubic demeanor returned.

Her parents knew her well. They gave her the benefit of the doubt that her behavior was linked to a need she was experiencing - - not merely defiance. Just like children, adults need food, sleep and a sense of security. If our blood sugar gets low or we are running on little sleep, we may act out inappropriately as well. The same applies if we are feeling threatened or insecure.

This is not to excuse sinful behavior - - when it is truly sin. But this situation showed me a very valuable lesson. When we don’t know someone well, it’s easy to misinterpret certain behaviors. Rather than giving the benefit of the doubt, we might wrongly judge or assume things that might not be true. Our wrong response could actually exacerbate the problem. If those parents had sent their daughter to her room for a time out, her hunger would likely have increased with time and so might her wrong behavior.

God’s Word frequently demonstrates this merciful act. Jesus admonishes us to turn the other cheek. [1] James reminds us that mercy triumphs over judgment. [2] The Apostle Paul exhorts us to bear with one another. [3] And really, if you think about it, what harm could possibly come from lovingly extending the benefit of the doubt to someone?

GOING DEEPER:

1. How might you demonstrate mercy rather than misinterpretation?

FURTHER READING:

[1] Matthew 5:38-40; [2] James 2:12-13; [3] Colossians 3:13

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

Mary, Did You Know?

By Tracy Smith

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 (NIV)

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Mary, Did You Know?” The imagery has always spoken to me: the way the song frames who Jesus was and what He did as questions, wondering if Mary understood.

After becoming a mother to sons myself, the song took on new meaning. As I looked at the faces of my sleeping boys, it made me think of Mary looking at the face of baby/toddler Jesus. What did she truly comprehend of who He was?

We know that an angel told her that she would give birth to a Son, conceived through the Holy Spirit and that He would be called the Son of God. We know that Mary accepted what the angel said (Luke 1:29-38). But what did she really understand? Did she know that her “baby boy would give sight to a blind man?” [1] or that her “baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?” [1]

I can’t imagine how Mary looked into the helpless face of her baby, who at the time, was dependent on her for everything, and could truly understand that He would one day save us all from our sins.

We know that she understood something about His power as she came to Him at the wedding in Cana expecting He could do something about the fact that the wine had run out (John 2:1-5).

Yet, at the same time, when Jesus was 12 years old and He stayed behind in the temple, Mary and Joseph were frantic to find Him and seemingly did not think to look there. When they confront Him about the fact that they did not know where He was, He responds in Luke 2, “’Why were you searching for me?’ He asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’” When He says this, they do not understand what He means.

I can’t even imagine what Jesus’ parents were trying to figure out/understand as He grew into adulthood. Could they ever really comprehend that the child they used to rock to sleep “is the Great I Am?” [1]

What about you? Who do you  understand Jesus to be?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Listen to the Pentatonix version of “Mary Did You Know?” Focus on all that it says Jesus is. (Click HERE to listen to it.)

FURTHER READING:

Luke 1-2

[1]https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tnkvx4abvoc4otzqrfisjf4k7yi?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of High School girls.

My Best for Him

By Lisa Boyer

“Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11b (NIV)

I wasn’t expecting to see him, not here anyway; not in the United States. But there he stood on a small stage at a local church. A boy from Zambia, playing a drum and singing a song I’d never heard before:

“Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)”

Ok, I’d heard it before, but never in this way… never by someone who so closely resembled “The Little Drummer Boy” himself.

“A newborn king to see (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
To lay before the king (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
So, to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
When we come”

I could picture the manger scene and this humble Zambian boy standing off to the side, afraid to approach. But he wants to give something or do something - - anything. So he comes forward and softly speaks. 

“Little baby (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I am a poor boy too (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I have no gifts to bring (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
That's fit to give a king (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
On my drum?”

This boy presents himself before the Newborn King, honestly confesses who he is (“a poor boy” with “no gift”) and then he offers what he can, all he can: He offers to serve the King.

“I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)”

I had tears in my eyes as I listened to him play his best for the King.

We all come to Jesus just as that poor Zambian drummer boy. We have no gift fit to give a king, not the King, not the Newborn King who came to earth to live and then die for us! But that’s okay, because no gift is as valuable as giving ourselves and using what we have to serve Him.

I will never hear this song again without picturing that Zambian playing for the Newborn King…offering the only gift he has.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Today, what gift will you give the King?

FURTHER READING:

Titus 3:4-5; 2 Corinthians 8:12; Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 6:7

Lisa is married to Ted and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves as an event photographer at Oakwood and wherever else she is needed.