At Winston Churchill’s funeral he arranged for something a bit unusual. Most of us are used to hearing taps at the close of the funeral services of veterans. If fact there is a national organization dedicated solely to making sure that taps is played at every veterans funeral. But at Churchill’s funeral, the typical playing of taps was not the last word. Yes, Churchill instructed that after the benediction that a bugler positioned high in the dome of the Cathedral would play Taps, the tune that marks the days end. But that was not the end. Another bugler was placed on the other side of the massive dome, and he played Reveille (Click here to listen to Reveille), the tune that sounds out to mark the coming of a new day calls all to arise. That was Churchill’s testimony about the resurrection. He wanted those gathered to know that there is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by his death and resurrection.
On this Memorial Day, may we hear the notes of Reveille in our hearts even if they have not sounded in our ears. And may those who have lost loved ones in the wars of past and present who were in Christ take great comfort that taps in not the last word. Death is not just a fading away in the distance.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 4:18 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
That trumpet will signal the dawn of a new day to be lived out in a new heavens and a new earth. It will call us to rise. It will be Reveille. It will be Resurrection.
I haven’t heard this about Churchhill. I think it’s fantastic. I was just thinking today in preparation for next Sunday’s sermon how at funerals we often do not think much about the resurrection even though we preach and teach it in the sermon, prayers and liturgy. That’s a pretty cool way to remind folks.
Wow! I had not heard this either, and it gave me chills. I don’t know if many of your readers will have attended a military funeral, but I certainly have, and it is the most moving event you can imagine (especially those of soldiers KIA). To hear the sound of reveille after the close of Taps, would both startle (at first) and then bring hope unimaginable. Thanks for sharing this story!
Phil,
If there were an available soundtrack to what tune the Trumpets will call out, I think it would sound like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iw6bCO-nzM
Or maybe this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efeQ-MG-Wg4&feature=related