For 12 days he’s patiently followed along with our Christmas parade of ponderings. In fact, we’ve been joyously marching along to his gentle, steady beat. While not a typical Nativity Scene prop, I think he should be. (You can bet your bottom dollar he has a permanent spot in ours.) I give you: The Drummer Boy.

While a drummer boy may not have been a historical reality that physically glorified our Lord and Savior with the adoring assortment of angels, shepherds and wisemen, I hold that he must certainly be a metaphorical one. I give you: Us. Yes, you and me. We are called to fill the weathered shoes of the drummer boy. Called to lovingly approach our sweet Baby Jesus moment by moment with the only little gift we have to give. Ourselves. Spreading notes of joyful peace as we drum along to His flawlessly orchestrated tune. Mistakes will be made and we will know valleys of weariness, but we’ll keep practicing! Then bursting forth with endless gratitude we can humbly sing:

“Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum,

Me and my drum”