The Little Pagan Drummer Boy

Aaron, I think you would argue with a stop sign.

Please consider Christ's parable in Matthew 25, starting at verse 14. Then go on to the sheep and the goats parable which follows.

We are expected to do well with what we have as part of loving God and loving our fellow man.

However, if the meaning of the simple song about the little drummer boy offends you, please feel free not to listen to it.

Edit: is God a doting parent? Yes, He absolutely is for those who are His. We are given all we ever need, and so much more. We are surrounded and protected by Him, loved by Him, cared for by Him, raised up by Him, disciplined by Him, healed by Him. If that is not a doting parent, I don't know what is!

[ December 28, 2002, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

Well....if nothing we can do or say or give can ever be found as pleasing to the Lord, then why should we try? What's the point to putting forth fruits, and why come to Christ anyway?

 

Aaron, why do we do anything? Is not everything we do supposed to be as unto God? Why does he tell us that if we aren't to bother because it all means nothing to him?
You're right, all of OUR righteousness is as filthy rags, WE have nothing to offer. Once we become a part of the family of God He no longer sees our filthiness, our works are done through the Spirit within us, and what we do as having been done unto Jesus. Prayers are likened unto incense, and works as treasures used to build up His kingdom. Of course every Christian recognizes that nothing can ever match the gift of grace we've been given, but doing our best to please the Master in anything we do IS the result of a humble and contrite heart. In fact, I see the fact that the drummer gave praise to Jesus instead of offering him the drum itself as a wonderful way to give recognition to this fact! He understood the concept.
Gina

 

If we look at this song as a remote possibility that a boy came to see Jesus and gave the gift of playing his drum, then we have to look at the shepherds and what they gave: nothing, according to Scripture. So, if they gave nothing, then why would a drummer boy need to give something? It doesn't seem to be the custom of the Jews to give a gift at the birth of a child, not until the Magi came, bearing gifts. Somebody probably thought it was a cute and simple way to show that it's not the material things that count during the Christmas season.

 

For Pete's sake, Aaron, give the negativism a rest, will ya?

 

Yes, when something is negativistic, it can be called negativism.

 

So, Aaron, nothing should be offered God to honor Him because that is a pagan idea, right?

 

Sorry for being so critical Aaron! I'm just still trying to figure out the reasoning you gave. I really thought it was a joke at first and still have a hard time taking such a topic as how theologically evil the little drummer boy song is.
I just don't get it. I'm trying, but it's just not working.
Maybe if you type real slow?
Did you read my response after I realized you were serious? What's your thoughts on what I said?
Gina

 

Little Drummer Boy

Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
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 x 3)
So, to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
When we come

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 x 3)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
On my drum?

Mary nodded (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum x 3)
Then, He smiled at me (pa-rum-pa-pum-pum)
Me and my drum

I don't get it. Where does this song indicate a philosophy that giving your best contributes to gaining God's favor?

 

Can you imagine a child offering his best to Jesus and being turned away by him as a pagan for doing so?
Heaven forbid Jesus as a child smiling at another child!
Gina

 

You mess with "In the Garden" and I might lose my testimony on ya!
Seriously though, what do you see in it that you don't like?
Gina

 

The boy was aware that he had nothing to give that was worthy of honoring a king. The boy offered his best. It is the very same reason we don't simply roll out of bed on Sunday morning and head to church in our pajamas. It is the same reason we don't just half heartedy mumble through worship. In short, it is the same reason we try to use all the gifts with which we have been endowed by our creator to serve Him to the best of our ability.

There is absolutely nothing in that song that tries to indicate a motive of earning God's respect through works, only that God expects and is pleased for us to offer him our best. It's not a very difficult concept to grasp and I don't see why you should be so opposed to it.

 

By the way I agree with those who think you are negative. Many posts you start seem to try to attack a perceived false belief you feel most Christians have about a particular subject-or at least condescendingly try to school marm everyone into believing what you do.

such as here

Who doesn't believe that Christ's atoning work was completed on the cross (besides you)?

or this

Who doesn't believe in a bodily resurrection and judgement of both the righteous and unrighteous (besides you)?

Or this thread. Who really believes the Little drummer boy was motivated by a desire to earn God's favor through works rather than a desire to simply worship the Saviour to the best of his ability (besides you)?

Or just looking through this forum a million other topics fit the same method on your part.

It's just my opinion but you could benefit from a little relaxation.