Then He Smiled at Me
One of my sister's favorite Christmas movies was the smash claymation hit The Little Drummer Boy from the 1960s. We used to watch it when we made Christmas cookies together.
I cling to those memories now that my sister has passed, and while the film is a bit cheesy and the effects are quite cringy, it's a must-watch every year.
The story of the little drummer boy in the movie goes something like this:
A young boy experienced terrible trauma when bandits from the desert killed his shepherd parents (nothing like a happy childhood film to warm the heart for the holidays).
The boy escaped with only a few animals and a drum his father had given him.
As the boy roamed the desert, his heart turned cold and became filled with unforgiveness, hatred, and anger.
He vowed to hate all mankind forever.
Alone and vulnerable, the boy and his animals were kidnapped by a greedy and creepy showman who wanted to use the boy's drumming skills in his traveling show.
As the troop traveled, they encountered the three kings following the star of Bethlehem. The men were wise (see what I did there) and noticed the troop had a camel (one of the drummer boy's precious animals), which they needed, so the greedy showman sold it to them.
The drummer boy was devastated and left the troop with his remaining animals to roam the desert alone once more.
As they walked, the boy noticed the bright star in the sky and decided to follow it, hoping he could find the kings and rescue his camel that had been sold.
Unfortunately, on their way to Bethlehem, the boy's lambs got hit by a Roman soldier's carriage (seriously?).
When they finally arrived at the stable, they spotted the kings and his beloved camel in front of the large crowd of assembled shepherds.
The boy ran up to one of the kings and presented his injured lamb, pleading with the magi to cure him.
The wise man explained that he was a mere mortal king, but perhaps the babe - the king among kings they had been seeking - who lay in the manger could save his lamb.
Confused but desperate, the little drummer boy went up to the newborn babe, laid the lamb in front of the stable, and began to cry, feeling unworthy as he had no gift to give as the fancy kings did.
Then he had an idea.
He gathered up his courage and decided to play his drum for the holy family.
He played his very best for them, and when he was done, the boy raised his head and found the newborn king looking right at him and smiling.
And that simple exchange - a smile from The Savior of the World - changed everything for that little drummer boy.
The lamb bounced around, all healed up, and the boy scooped him up, filled with gratitude; his heart and soul forever changed by the Savior of the World born in a lowly manger in the middle of a desert.
The hatred, anger, and unforgiveness left the boy's heart and laughter and joy returned to him once again.
My favorite quote from this sweet film:
"Your gift, Little Drummer Boy, given out of the simple desperation of a pure love is the one favored above all."
I'm not crying, you're crying.
It's such a beautiful story.
Beloved, we can all come to Jesus in the same way.
We can come to Jesus with our hurts, unforgiveness, anger, and hatred.
And as that boy did with his wounded lamb, we can lay it all at the feet of Jesus, bringing only our desperation for healing and redemption.
And when we look up, Jesus will be smiling at us.
And that exchange, beloved, will change everything.
Matthew 2: 10-11
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.