During this Christmas season, we all become accustomed to Christmas songs being played on the radio, and some of us turn to stations that play nothing but sacred Christmas carols and secular songs all day long. And among those we often hear sung is one called: “Little Drummer Boy.” Believe it or not, it is often sung in churches. It’s not an old Christmas carol, in fact, it was written in 1941 and first called “Carol of the Drum.” Then in 1955 it was recorded by the Von Trapp Family Singers of “The Sound of Music” fame.

It tells the fictitious story of a little boy who heard a noise outside his window of people talking as they walked by. So he got up and went to the window and saw several men dressed in fine clothes, along with their camels and servants going by on their way to visit the infant Jesus in the manger. He had always dreamed of being a drummer in a parade, so the Magi invited him to go along. But he had no gift to bring other than his drum.

When they arrived at the manger, the little boy told Mary: “I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring that’s fit to give our King, shall I play for you.” After Mary gave her permission, the little lad told how the ox and lamb kept time as he played his drum for Jesus. The song ends with these words: “I played my best for Him, me and my drum.”

For those who know the real story of the birth of Jesus, the Magi did not visit Jesus in the manger but came some two years later when Jesus was living in a house nearby. Also, we have no record that in the manger there was an ox or a lamb on that night because the shepherds who did come left their sheep in the field.

But it goes to show how the figment of someone’s imagination can over time become accepted as genuine and real. This is not only true about so-called historical events portrayed in musicals, but also of repeated stories that supposedly are about God, Jesus, His disciples, and other biblical figures. So while it sure does offer a pleasing sentiment of a little boy being invited to join the Magi and bring gifts to the baby Jesus and all he has is his little drum, for those unfamiliar with the true story if fosters a misconception that falls into the same category as Santa Claus and the Christmas tree.

The fact is, even the disciples never celebrated Christmas because to the Jews, honoring birthdays was a pagan idea. Should we stop commemorating the coming of the Son of God into this world as a human being so that He could be our Savior and Redeemer? Absolutely not! Should we cease singing Christmas Carols in honor of the King who came to establish the Kingdom of God and invite whosoever will to become part of that kingdom. Emphatically, no! But let’s teach our children by doing it the right way based on what we know from God’s Word.

In a way, we all may be like that fictional little drummer, we have no great talent, ability, power, or money to give in honor of the King of Glory, but He is so kind and gracious that He will accept whatever we have to give Him in expressing our love and appreciation for His loving us so much that He sent His Son, His only Son, into this world to be our Savior.