BRINGING WHO YOU ARE TO THE KING

BY JENN SCHMIDT
VGP - OFFICE ASSISTANT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

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
 
Christmas - it’s more than a time of trees adorned with lights, ornaments on the tree and pretty decorations everywhere you go. More than just sweets and stores lined with new things. For many, it holds fond memories of children fluttering across the stage in costumes and the times we have spent with family - but it’s all even more of that. A time to celebrate the birth - not just any birth, but the birth of a king; a savior. OUR king. OUR Savior. A time to come and worship and honor.

But what do you do when you feel that you have nothing worthy to bring to the king? What do you give when you feel that you have nothing to offer but yourself? What if you feel you’re coming before the king with nothing but empty hands?
 
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 our king,   Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,   Rum pum pum pum
 
I know that there have been many times that I too have felt like this little drummer boy did in the christmas song. I have stood (and not just at Christmas) in worship, and wondered what I have to offer the king - I wasn’t made to lead a church in worship or bring a message from a pulpit (I don’t even like sitting too close to the front), and I sometimes find myself feeling so inadequate, insignificant and small around those I am surrounded with - so how could I possibly bring anything worthy and fit for the worship of a King? A Savior? I guess you can say that I can very much understand the lyrics when they say “I have no gift to bring …. That’s fit to give our king”  and I think so many others can feel the same way sometimes. “We have nothing fit to give our king.” For everything HE brings to us and means to us - hope, joy, peace, love, life, freedom, redemption, breakthrough and our very reason for breath - what could we bring that even comes close to being worthy for a King such as this? 
BUT if you keep singing the song, the little drummer boy doesn’t stop there … “Shall I play for you?” He had nothing to offer fit for a king, but offered all he was instead. He offered what he could do, even though he didn’t feel as it would be worthy for the presence of a king. 
 
All my words fall short, I got nothing new,   How could I express, All my gratitude?
I could sing these songs, As I often do,   But every song must end, And You never do
So I throw up my hands, And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah,   Hallelujah
And I know it's not much,  But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah,   Hallelujah
I've got one response,   I've got just one move
With my arm stretched wide,   I will worship You
So I throw up my hands,  And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, Hallelujah
And I know it's not much, But I've nothing else fit for a King,  except for a heart singing hallelujah.
( Lyrics of  “Gratitude” - Brandon Lake)  

In this season, through the ups and downs - maybe you feel you have nothing left or nothing worthy to bring to the celebration of the highest King - but rest assured you can bring what He desires from you the most - your heart. YOU. Just like the ‘little drummer boy’, bring your gift of worship; your gift of all you are, and come with gratitude for all He is. For WHO HE IS.