Legend of the Little Drummer Boy

The Little Drummer Boy

This little Christmas Carol has always been one of my favorites.  I remember thinking when I was very young that what could I give to the Baby Jesus for Christmas.. and I thought I will live my life for Him....

You may have already heard the legends associated with Christmas, the day on which Jesus took birth on earth. You may also know about the wise men who visited the newborn with gifts for him. There are many such legends associated with Christmas and you may have heard many but those unheard are still more. Christmas, being a universally celebrated festival, has adopted and adapted to the cultures and traditions of every part of earth. It is thus that there are so many regional differences in the celebration and the celebrated Christmas legends. In the legend of Christ's birth, we have heard about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and even the animals that came to the scene to witness the divine moment. We're also told of the wise men who, came with expensive gifts. But, have you heard the story of the drummer boy who accompanied the three wise men? You may not find this legend in the bible but the message it delivers is relevant nonetheless. Read on for details

The Story Of The Drummer Boy
Zack, a little boy, a passionate drummer, was sleeping on his bed when he was awakened by some people passing by his house. To his surprise, he saw richly dressed men mounted on camels, led by servants. Zack, who thought it was a parade, was overwhelmed with joy as he liked parades very much. He grabbed his drumsticks and joined the group and started playing his drum. The people woke up, lit candles and shouted at him for playing drum in the midnight. Even the three important people mounted on their camels weren't pleased, but Zack, the genuine parade lover, was not ready to give up the parade for any reason and thought that no parade is good without drums.

They were passing Bethlehem when day gave way to night and Zack noticed a bright star in the sky. He noticed that the important three men are also watching the star. Finally, he saw that the star had risen on the top of a little house and the caravan stopped in front of that small shed and the kings went inside. Zack peeped through the window and saw a newborn baby inside, receiving expensive gifts from the three men. Zack felt sad as he did not have anything to give to the baby and he thought maybe he could play the drum for the baby. Just then, Mary saw him and welcomed him inside. He played drum for the baby and, to his surprise, he saw the baby and the three men smile. 

Years later Zack died at an early age, leaving behind a beautiful and religious wife in poverty. Once she came to know that a preacher was in town and she went over with the last two coins that she was left with. She was embarrassed at others' expensive gifts and quietly dropped her pennies into the box.

She looked up to see the preacher, Jesus smiling at her, a sweet smile just like her husband had described. With great surprise, she realized that her husband had played drum for the king of kings and the lord of lords and that the great one still remembers it.

Yes, god values your thoughts and emotions rather than expensive gifts. 

A prayer from a sincere heart

 is worth more than any amount

 of expensive gifts for Him.

There are many renditions of this little song by different artists such as Bing Crosby and others but the one I love the most is by the Harry Simone Chorale... take a listen... 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1fA59oH7Q

Have a very Blessed Christmas with the Christ Child smiling

upon you and yours. 

ADVENT VIRUS

 The  

Advent Virus 

 by Anonymous via email

WARNING……WARNING: 
ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

Please send this warning out to all your friends. This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.

 

1st Sunday of Advnt -- Birth of Christ in Mary's Own Words

 First Sunday of Advent

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church: the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

 https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=357

• Isaiah 2:1-5 
• Psalm 122 
• Romans 13:11-14 
• Matthew 24:36-44

As we enter into Advent this year, let us reflect on the feelings of Mary when she conceived in her womb the Holy One of God, Jesus Christ... and the Joy and Sorrow of the Birth of Christ.

Reading the "Revelations of St. Brigett" who had visions and spoke to God the Father, Jesus, Mary and some saints gives us a profound outlook of the events of Christ's life and death... These words of Our Lady about the Annunciation and the Nativity spoke deeply to my heart and I wanted to share them with you...

Birth of Christ in Mary's Own Words

St. Bridgett Revelations Chapter 10

"....While I was thus fascinated by this thought, I saw three wonderful things: I saw a star, but not the kind that shines in the sky; I saw a light, but not the kind that shines in this world; I smelled a fragrance, but not of herbs or anything else of this world. It was most delightful and truly indescribable, and it filled me up so completely that I jubilated with joy!

Leonardo DeVinci

After this, I immediately heard a voice - but not from a human mouth - and when I heard it, I shuddered with the great fear that it might be an illusion, or a mockery by an evil spirit. But shortly after this, an angel of God appeared before me; he was like the most handsome of men, but not in the flesh as is the body of a created man, and he said to me: ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!’ When I heard this, I wondered what he meant and why he had come to me with such a greeting, for I knew and believed that I was unworthy of any such thing - or any good thing! However, I also knew that nothing is impossible for God, if he desires it.

Then the angel spoke again: ‘The child to be born in you is holy and will be called the Son of God. May his will be done as it pleases him.’ But, not even then did I consider myself worthy, and I did not ask the angel why, or when, this would happen. Instead I asked him how it could be that I, an unworthy maiden, who did not know any man, should become the Mother of God. The angel answered me (as I have just said): ‘Nothing is impossible for God, for whatever he wants to do will be done.’

When I had heard these words of the angel, I felt the most fervent desire to become the Mother of God, and my soul spoke out of love and desire, saying: ‘See, here I am; your will be done in me!’ With these words, my Son was conceived in my womb to the indescribable joy of my soul and my every limb! While I had him in my womb, I bore him without any pain, without any heaviness or discomfort. I humbled myself in all things, knowing that he whom I bore was the Almighty!

 

from the Nativity Story

When I gave birth to him, it was also without any pain or sin, just as I had conceived him, but with such exaltation and joy of soul and body that my feet did not feel the ground where they had been standing because of this indescribable joy! Just as he had entered my limbs to the joy of all my soul, he left my body, leaving my virginity intact, and my soul and whole body in a state of indescribable joy and jubilation.

When I gazed upon and contemplated his beauty, joy seeped through my soul like dewdrops and I knew myself to be unworthy of such a son. But when I considered the places where (as I had learned from the predictions of the prophets) nails would be pierced through his hands and feet at the crucifixion, my eyes filled with tears and my heart was almost torn apart by sorrow.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help... see the nails and cross the angels are holding

When my Son saw my weeping eyes, he became almost deathly saddened. However, when I considered his divine power, I was consoled again in knowing that this was what he wanted and that it should happen in this way, and I joined all my will to his. So my joy was always mixed with sorrow...."

Read the entire Revelation of St. Bridgett here...
 http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Bridget%20%28Birgitta%29%20of%20Sweden%20-%20Prophecies%20and%20Revelations.html

LIVE YOUR FAITH -- SHOW OTHERS TRUE HAPPINESS

 

 

If we live as we believe

serving others

by sharing our love

 

Those who do not believe

will think again about their non-belief

 

 

 

If you are a beacon of LOVE

with the Light of Christ in you

 

All will come to see

and believe!!!!

 

Jesus,  Lord

teach us to live our faith

and walk in your ways.

People in the Bible

 

If you ever think God can't use you,

remember the Bible full of imperfect people.

 

 

 

Prayer for encouragement