Three Epiphany Stories, The Reverend David R. Williams, Epiphany II--Year B--January 15, 2006

Epiphany.

The season begins with the story of the Wise Men visiting and paying homage to the Baby Jesus.  These three foreigners travel through darkness, following the light of a lone bright star.

We soon discover that this new season of Epiphany emanates from the bright star and the birth of our Lord.  Three foreigners follow a star and discover light and life.  We, in turn, do the same.

For the next few minutes we will reflect as three other characters search life and light: Samuel, Nathaniel and Charles.  I am sure you recognize the Biblical characters Samuel and Nathaniel, stories we heard read this morning. But Charles?  When did we hear the story of Charles?

As we know, our own Charles Hogan, Minister of Music, is in England on a long-planned sabbatical.  Maybe two years ago during Christmas, Charles mentioned to me (and probably to others) how miraculous it would be to be there – in a pew of Kings Chapel, Cambridge on Christmas Eve, taking in the incredible music and lessons of the renowned Kings College Boys Choir leading a packed “chapel” in the service of Lessons and Carols.

We all know Charles’s love of the rich heritage and beauty of Anglican choral music.  To be at King’s College on the sacred day of Incarnation would be akin to the Muslims of today on their annual pilgrimage to Mecca. For a musician of Charles’ stature, God’s incarnate presence is revealed in all God’s glory through exceptional music.

Charles’s and Hallie’s schedule goes something like this: flats owned by Elon University until Christmas Eve cover their housing in London.  So, on the day of Christmas Eve, they have to move and find an affordable hotel in the royal city. Most important, however, is the travel plan to King’s College, Cambridge – probably an hour’s train ride away.

Service of Lessons and Carols begins at 3 pm, the promotional literature says.  The door opens at 1:30 pm. Most people arriving by 10:30 am should be able to attend, the literature says.   Heard live on radio throughout the world, sung by the best boys’ choir in the world, the service over the years has become one of the most sought-after worship services in England.

Charles and Hallie plan their Christmas Eve journey.  On a typically damp, cold day in Britain, they leave London on an early train to Cambridge.

Move back in time, several thousand years to another era: a young, aspiring theology student, Samuel, sleeps in his room, not far from the temple. Samuel’s mentor and teacher, Eli, is sleeping in the Temple.  Samuel is respectful and obedient to his teacher, but he has not yet become personally familiar with his Lord.

Out of the darkness of night, a voice calls Samuel.  Samuel responds by getting out of bed and going to the temple to his aging mentor, Eli.  Eli is befuddled.  Samuel is disappointed.  Samuel then goes back to bed.
Again, the voice calls Samuel out of his sleep.  And again, Eli is confused. Samuel wipes his sleepy eyes, trying to make some sense of this mysterious voice.

It is not until the third time that Eli makes the connection for Samuel.  The voice is the voice of Epiphany, of light, of life – your Lord calls you, Samuel. Not I.
 
This is a lovely story relating Samuel’s early relationship with his true master.  Samuel becomes prophet and priest, eventually anointing Israel’s first two kings Saul and David.  An Epiphany story begins with confusion, misunderstanding and, eventually, acceptance.

We now move forward a few centuries and are introduced to two Jewish men, dedicated to their faith, Phillip and Nathaniel.  Phillip has just been asked to join on a journey another Jew—by the name of Jesus. Phillip believes from the depths of his heart that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.   Without hesitation, Phillip agrees to join Jesus.

But then a remarkable thing occurs. Phillip asks his friend Nathaniel to join.

Nathaniel is skeptical: any Jewish leader with good credentials must come from Bethlehem or Jerusalem. Heaven forbid if anything good could come out of Nazareth.

Nathaniel is confused, much like Samuel.

What is the source of this light, this voice, and this call?  The invitation from Phillip to Nathaniel becomes our living challenge to the unchurched – those friends and neighbors – the Nathaniels of our communities, the Nathaniels hungry for light, truth and meaning.

I mean, what good can come from Holy Comforter? Or the Episcopal Church?

One simple encounter with Jesus convinces Nathaniel that he has found the true light and life.

Another journey, search, and call begins in skepticism and disappointment-- and ends in a true light revealed.

Charles and Hallie arrive outside King’s Chapel on the Morning of December 24.  A long line has formed.  The service is not until 3 pm.  In the freezing cold they  wait outside for four and a half hours. They get closer and closer to the door.  They are within fifty people when they are told that the Chapel is at capacity.  No one else can enter.

Forlorn, disappointed, head down (we can all envision a disappointed Charles), the two wander the streets of Cambridge.  I’m sure Charles must have been down right grumpy.  What good can come out of King’s Chapel on this Christmas Eve?

After some marvelous, surprising and now treasured events on that Christmas day, Charles meets with one of his chorister mentors who, in his words, “lassos” Charles into singing for an Epiphany service at the famous Leeds Cathedral.

After hearing of their disappointing Christmas Eve at King’s College, this friend arranges for Charles and Hallie an appointment of introduction and personal tour with the King’s College Head Musician. 
Another journey – into darkness and cold.  And then the unexpected voice, eventually a guide to Light. 
In each instance, the Epiphany Call and Light is not the expected. For Samuel, not the voice of Eli. For Nathaniel, not a Messiah from Bethlehem or Jerusalem. For Charles, not a pew in King’s Chapel on the Eve of Christ’s birth.

Perhaps a shining light beyond all expectation or imagination.

The season of Epiphany.

Amen.