Heralding the New

This week the UK elected a new Prime Minister, and it reminded me of one of my favorite stories about the life of my favorite Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

Churchill was able to plan his own funeral service in St Paul's Cathedral, London, which included many of the great hymns of the faith and used some eloquent and rich Anglican liturgy. At the end of the service, right after the benediction, it was Churchill's request, though, that from the whispering gallery at the base of the dome, Reveille would begin immediately after Taps had been played.

While taps are the traditional tune to signal that the day is over, Reveille is the traditional tune that heralds the dawning of a new day.

Churchill wanted to make sure that people knew that even though one day (his life on earth) had ended, a new day (in heaven) had immediately begun for him.

This is a beautiful picture of what it means to be a Christian. How frequently there is an event that causes loss in our lives that we believe needs to have Taps played after it, but really, what we need to listen for is Reveille... because often, each loss and defeat can signify for us the beginning of a new dawn and a new day.

We are people of Reveille! God is always in the business of beginning new starts and new days, and we await that great and glorious day.

Herald the new day!