Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

Thursday - December 10, 2010

In fifteen days we will be gathering together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas. What does that mean to you? As a child it meant many things: decorating a live pine tree; Mom making her Orange Cake from scratch; and most importantly, it meant reading and hearing the story of a little baby boy born in a a crude stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and placed in a manger. As I got older, I started to understand who that baby boy was, and how He was the one God sent to die for all our sins.

The impact this story had on me as a child has stayed with me as I have reached the "senior" years! There was also a movie that was shown to us at school every year by our elementary teachers. It was called "The Little Match Girl." It is a short story about a little girl who is on the cold streets trying to sell match sticks to earn money for the necessities of life . I could tell you more about the story, but I don't want to cry at the moment! If you could find the time to read it, it is a story that will touch your heart, and make you much more thankful for all you have. Hans Christian Andersen wrote the story back in 1846.

Another "story/song" that tugs at my heart is "The Little Drummer Boy." Originally known as the "Carol of the Drums," it was written in 1941 by the pianist, Katherine K. Davis. It too tells the story of a young child who had very little as his own. He wanted to give a present to this special baby boy, but had nothing to give! Then it came to him. "I can play my Drum for Him!" Oh what a thought gift that was!

I think I can relate to these two characters on paper a little because of how little they had. We had enough when growing up - not as much as some, but we had the best of all . . . the love of caring parents who taught us it was much better to give than to receive. They gave uncoditionally to us . . . doing without so that we would have what we needed. They taught us the scarifice God gave . . . His Son. Slowly, as I grew older, I saw all the different ways my parents gave to others even with money being very sparse. Dad would physically help others in need with his knowledge of carpentry, home repairs, and working on the electronics of the day - TV and radio. Mom was always making up a cake, pie, or crocheting something as a way of saying you are loved by the Layne family. It was not a matter of how much or how many presents given/received; it was and always will be the thought behind the gift.

When choosing a gift for anyone, I think about who that person is. Then I try to find a gift that suits them. I love being able to find the perfect gift and seeing the surprise and appreciation from that person. Sadly, there have been many times when the gift(s) were not what the recipient wanted, liked, or appreciated. I love giving to others!! It saddens me that I can't please those I love all of the time. This year's gift giving is going to be sparse. However, I hope the recepients know what we give is in the same giving spirit as "The Little Drummer Boy!"

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Little Drummer Boy: Lyrics

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

That smile said it all . . . ."Thank you, and I love you!"