Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
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 the 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?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

Mandisa
written by Katherine Kennicott Davis

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
each of us is to exercise them accordingly…
Romans 12:6 NASB

…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31b ESV

As each has received a gift, use it…
as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
1 Peter 4:10 ESV

This is one of my most favorite Christmas carols. I enjoy it so much that I couldn’t decide which version to include, so I have included two and even posted a third on my FaceBook page.  But as I was listening to this song, God spoke to my heart reminding me once again it is not the gift that matters but what is in our hearts when we give.  I thought instantly of the widow’s mite. Luke 21:1-4 HCSB tells her story…

He (Jesus) looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins. “I tell you the truth,” He said, “This poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

She was giving what she had.  That’s what Jesus wants from us – to give what we have.  He doesn’t want us to give out of show, out of fear, out of pride, or with reluctance in our heart.  Our gifts don’t have to be monetary in nature.  The little drummer boy had a gift for playing the drum.  He used his gift to honor God and made Him smile.  Leo Buscaglia puts it this way:

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

I don’t sing, or preach, or write books. I’m not a celebrity, rich and famous, or an icon. But I do have God-given gifts I can use to glorify and honor God.  And you do, too.  Romans 12:6 NASB provides an answer when we feel we have nothing worthy to give:

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
each of us is to exercise them accordingly…

1 Corinthians 10:31b reminds us that “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  God has given each of us different talents, different gifts.  We need to use them accordingly.  Give your best to Him—willingly and from the heart.  That is the gift He wants.  That is what makes God smile.