Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:6-8 ESV). Emerson wrote, “The only gift is a portion of thyself." The title of today’s devotional is the chorus from a very familiar Christmas story and carol. Perhaps you remember reading "The Little Drummer Boy" to your children as I do. The fictional story tells about a poor shepherd boy who went to visit the Christ child on the day of his birth. When he arrived, the boy realized that other visitors presented the baby Jesus and his parents with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the shepherd boy had no gift due to his impoverished state. The only possession in the world the child had was a small handmade drum, and so, the little drummer boy gave the only gift he could give out of the pureness of his heart. The young shepherd picked up his drum, and as he looked in wonder at the Christ child, he played the best song ever; a drum solo inspired by the opening of his own heart. The story never fails to remind me of an essential truth. The message it conveys is not only very real, but of great importance. The gift of self is a most precious gift, indeed, because it is not a gift that can be purchased easily with money, but requires the time, energy, and heartfelt sentiments of the giver. For example, every mother knows how her heart leaps when her child presents her with a hand-drawn card, offers her a hand-picked flower, or gives her that old kindergarten standby, the noodle necklace! I don't know about you, but that silly noodle necklace was more precious to me than diamonds or pearls! This, my friends, is a gift of love. It is a gift of self. There are birthday gifts and Christmas gifts. There are gifts of fruit, chocolates and flowers. However, the most precious gift known to all of mankind, is the gift of love from our heavenly Father presented all of us when He allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a living sacrifice for our sins. Our Creator did not "have" to do this, but He loved us so richly as individuals, that He gave to us the greatest gift He could give. The gift of love. The gift of self. It ought to motivate us toward that kind of giving this Christmas season. What gifts are you preparing to present to those whom you love?