This year, our President, Owain Llŷr Evans reflects on why the carol 'The Little Drummer Boy' has a special meaning for him and relays the heart of the Christian message.
A survey was made and published recently of the Christmas songs that are the most painful for people. In the Top Ten is one of my favourites.
Yes, you're right, it's Little Drummer Boy. Or in Welsh, 'Come and See'. Little Drummer Boy has been a favourite of mine since I first heard it. I believe it was from Val - colorful jumper - Doonican that I first heard it. Val Doonican's Christmas Special was an integral part of our Christmas as a family for many years. This has had an effect on Geraint, my brother and I, but at least now we can talk about it. The tune comes from Czechoslovakia: The Little Drummer Boy ... parym pym pym pym.Liking the melody was the starting point years ago, but now I'm completely obsessed with the idea that is at the heart of the song: a little boy standing next to the manger of the baby Jesus hitting a drum ... pym pym pym pym! With the shepherds and wise men, Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, who may be sleeping, a little boy hits and hits and hits his drum!
Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A newborn King to see,
There is an important message in this picture. Shouldn't the little Jesus be protected from such noise? Shouldn't God and the Father of our Lord Jesus put a stop to the sound of the little drummer!? No. Why? This is the incarnation: God living in the midst of humanity.
We are this little boy, and there is a raucous sound of our clashing, hitting and hitting all around us. Cautious, non-adventurous religion ... pa rum pum pum pum. A tame, boring faith ... pa rum pum pum pum? Cruelty and warfare in the name of God ... pa rum pum pum pum. The sound, the sound of the drum! The drumbeat!
But, God with his love can create from our sound, a rhythm. To begin with, we must acknowledged our dependence on him; note:
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King,
Then, we must try to give our best to God:
But try I will do it happily/give You a song/my best I will give to You.
Yes, my best I will give you why pym pym pym pym.
That is the secret of faith, love and hope. I played my best for him.
How about it friends? This Christmas and on to 2026, we will give our best to Jesus our lord, and then we will experience this wonder:
I played my best for Him,
Then He smiled at me,
