Maybe, like The Little Drummer Boy, each one of us has a song to play as an act of worship…
I have no gift to bring…
That’s fit to give our King…
Shall I play for you?…
Then He smiled at me…
Maybe the song is a form of creativity that not only makes God smile but others smile as well.
My sister, Gina’s, snow people cookies.
I don’t know about you but I often struggle with whether to share my creativity. Perhaps this is because we live in a world that highly esteems self-promotion and the act of creating something seems so personal, so special to God and to me. I worry whether the need for affirmation might sully the sharing.
So I hide away my writing in journals and procrastinate about getting reproductions made of my portraits, so the people that have asked to buy them can’t. I talk myself out of making ornaments for friends because I don’t want them to think they have to put them on their Christmas trees.
And when I wonder: Maybe my morning thoughts might encourage someone, I seize up and talk myself out of writing the blog post.
Yet then I remember The Little Drummer Boy and believe, once again, that when I present the gifts God graces me with to others it makes Him smile.
I have amazing people in my life who model this kind of stewardship. My sister makes snow people Christmas cookies to share with friends and family. My daughter-in-law creates themed baskets full of food for family and friends. My other daughter-in-law has friends over for delectable feasts. My mother crochets scarves, blankets, and headbands to share with family, friends, and people at the shelter.
My daughters crochet scarves and make Christmas ornaments to give away. My brother’s business, “Accidental Engineering,” graces people’s yards, houses, and restaurants with everything from log-carved planters to light fixtures. These are just a few of the creative people in my family who make God and people smile with their endless talents shared.
I also have colleagues who continually think of ways to encourage one another.
So maybe, just maybe, a great act of worship is the willingness to lay our talents at the Lord’s feet, acknowledging “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning,” (James 1:17) and then to pick them up and give them to others. Whether we play a musical instrument, dance with a theatre company, paint a picture, or craft a plate of snow people for a Christmas party, we can make God and others smile when we share.
So this holiday season, consider presenting your creativity to God first and then to others as an act of worship and sharing. I guarantee you will warm many hearts if you do.
Elya shared the Dana Point Harbor lights, which made me smile.
The Little Drummer Boy
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
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
Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum
Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
http://www.41051.com/xmaslyrics/drummer.html
For more ideas visit…
Refrain from the Identical 
Pingback: Creativity as an Act of Worship and Sharing | JoDee Luna's Blog·
Thanks for your transparency…I struggle with this as well. Thought about framing prints of my photo’s for gifts…changed my mind. Thought about making canvas prints of my photo’s to hang in my house…still debating. Feels self-serving. Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend!❤️
LikeLike
Jenny,
Perhaps this is the plight of all creative people. I hope you decide to frame your prints as gifts and as a reminder to yourself that photography is one of your many GIFTS!
I recently decided to find a photographer who specializes in photographing and reprinting fine art. I summoned my courage and made an appointment after the first of the year.
If I can finally do this, I know for sure that you can!!! You are a very creative soul and your writing and photos bless me so much!
LikeLike
Again we share. I too have many conversations in my head after I’ve written something, like do I post this or not and why. Then usually I don’t. I’m not creative and have no artistic talent like yourself but I do really enjoy your creativeness as an observer. The “Little Drummer Boy” is one of my favorite Christmas time experiences also.
My best to you and your family for this celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. .
Bob Cloud
LikeLike
Bob,
Thank you for taking the time to post your appreciation. Perhaps The Little Drummer Boy is a great reminder for the both of us to err in posting rather than procrastinating when those conversations start to go off in our heads. It helps me to know that other bloggers share the same struggle. I also send my blessings and best wishes to you and your family as you celebrate the Giver of all life!
LikeLike
This has made me site back and think about some things I have struggled with in the past so I would like to say “Thank you” for sharing this with us. I am so glad I found you and can not wait to visit again.
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting, Glenda, and for the encouraging comment. You are most welcome. I appreciate the comment so much and please know that you have inspired me to share my creativity more often!
LikeLike