The ‘Little Drummer Boy’
In remembering the true spirit of Christmas, the Daily Tribune was moved by the experiences of a “once” young man who shared with us his passion and love behind the song “Little Drummer Boy.”
Giving his name as Julian for anonymity, he said that although the “Little Drummer Boy” is often remembered for the lines that famously imitate a drummer, a careful review of the song’s lyrics will reveal why it is indeed a Christmas carol.
It was learned that Julian was a former sales clerk of a once prestigious department store located at the sprawling Cubao in Quezon City.
The establishment was famously known for its yearly grandiose Christmas display, attracting people from all walks of life.
But even how prestigious the department store was, he said that he was earning just P4.00 per day as a salesman at that time.
He shared that he should be really prudent on how to budget his income to survive.
As he lamented that they were allegedly required to stand all day long while on duty, making his body to be somewhat aching at the end of the day.
“The only time that we could sit was while having our meal breaks, even allowing as to somewhat stretch our backs on those makeshift long benches for a few moment after finishing our meals,” he said.
For his meager income, Julian said that all he can afford for his daily lunch was half of a smoked fish or “tinapang galunggong, where the other half of the fish was for his breakfast before going to work.
“Even how tired we were during those times, watching the animated Christmas display while consuming a grilled squid or “inihaw na pusit” before going home after a day’s work can reinvigorate me and gives me inspiration to face another day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Julian said that the lesson behind the Little Drummer Boy is simple and timeless. He learned, that the gold, frankincense, and myth from one person are just as precious as the music played from the heart of someone else.
However, he said that in today’s culture, it’s surprisingly easy for the people to settle into a comfortable mindset of materialism, subconsciously accepting the attainment of material wealth as a means to happiness.
He lamented that even how big our houses are, what kind of cars we drive, or the clothing brands we wear are treated as evidence of happiness, even if we don’t realize that’s where we’ve placed our priorities.
Julian said that “we should, of course, encourage ourselves and each other to have goals, dreams and ambitions; they put us on the right track towards success. But our mistake doesn’t want these things.”
He said that our mistake believes that attaining them — a new house, a new neighborhood, a new job, or anything else — should be the source of happiness.
“Even without those material things, we still can be happy if we can share the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our lord, Jesus Christ.” Julian explained.
“Merry Christmas to everybody,” he added.
In today’s culture, it’s surprisingly easy for the people to settle into a comfortable mindset of materialism, subconsciously accepting that the attainment of material wealth as a means to happiness.