Inspired by . . . the Hope of His Coming Vol. 2

Inspired by . . . the Hope of His Coming Vol. 2



What’s your favorite Christmas carol? Mine is Little Drummer Boy, originally entitled Carol of the Drum. It was composed by Katherine K. Davis in 1941 and recorded in 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers. Since that time over 220 artists have recorded some version of the song, in seven languages. {I’m listening to Mannheim Steamroller’s version as I type this.}

It would seem I’m not the only one who loves the story of the humble little boy coming to Jesus with nothing more than a song.

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 our 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

Even more, I love Jesus’ response to his gift.

Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

It’s a simple song – but it’s filled with Grace and Truth. Many of our traditional Christmas carols contain important Truths about the Messiah. Here is just a sampling - -  see if you can guess which songs these lines are from . . . .

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

***

Born a King on Bethlehem plain,

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever,

Ceasing never

Over us all to reign.

***

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Do not these words excite and quicken your heart! They do mine!

I’m sure you guessed the last example right away, but I included it because it contains one of my favorite lines: Let every heart prepare Him room – yes, Lord, let it be so this Christmas!

I can understand why the devil is working so hard to keep these beautiful songs out of our public arenas. The Truths of God are powerful. And while many sing these carols mindlessly, there are others who do not. God’s word will not return void.

It may be a fanciful notion, and I have no proof to back it up, but it could be that the Truths in these carols had something to do with the Christmas Truce of 1914. I’ve read several accounts in which the German, French, and British troops are said to have blended their voices together in what could only have been the most powerfully sweet version of Silent Night ever sung. Who can account for such an occurrence in the midst of the horrors of war?

The very One we sing about.

And that brings us to today’s Advent scripture. It’s a Psalm, of course. Psalm 72. Written {for or sung by} by David at the coronation of his son Solomon as king. The psalm is too long for me to post here, but I encourage you to get out your bible, or click through the link, and read it. Although Solomon’s name is made use of here, Christ’s kingdom is prophesied. We should read this Psalm with an eye to Christ, praising Him as a King, and giving thanks for our JOY-filled position as His children and heirs in the eternal kingdom.

As we sing the songs of Christmas

may we prepare our hearts

and give Him room.

Blessings,

Song excerpts:
1. What Child Is This
2.We Three Kings
3.Joy to the World
Printable Christmas Carol Lyrics