And when Aaron came to the entrance of the stable, he could hardly believe what he saw.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Aaron: Oh, your majesty, you must…
African King: Shh… Oh, the player boy.
Aaron: My lamb has been injured! You must save him!
King: He is near death. Oh, lad, there is nothing I can do.
Aaron: But…but you are a king!
King: A mortal king only. But there is a King among Kings who would save your little friend.
Aaron: The babe? But, I do not understand!
King: It is not necessary that you understand. Go to Him.
Aaron: But…I…I have no gift to bring!
King: Go. Look upon the newborn King.
And as Aaron looked at the babe, he thought it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.
Aaron: And yet, there is something more about Him. So much more.
King: Your gift, little drummer boy, given out the simple desperation of a pure love is the one favored above all. See?
~from the 1968 Rankin-Bass animated film, The Little Drummer Boy
If you have not watched this short (23-minute) film, you are missing a beautiful story that transcends race, culture, creed and religion. I watch it every year with my kids, and every year I cry. The little drummer boy does not have a tangible gift for the newborn Jesus, but he plays his drum for him in order to save his injured lamb. The final words of the narrator say it all: Aaron’s heart was filled with joy and love, and he knew at last that the hate he had carried there was wrong, as all hatred will ever be wrong. For more powerful, more beautiful by far than all the eons of sadness and cruelty and desolation which had come before, was that one tiny crystalline second of laughter. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! I hope every one of you who reads this had a wonderful, peaceful, inspiring Christmas, regardless of what or how you celebrate during the winter break. May you find love and beauty in abundance, and may grief and despair be fleeting.
