Epiphany Of The Lord
Stories
Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit
Series II, Cycle C
Many years ago there was a play named Eagerheart. It told of a young peasant girl by the name of Eagerheart who lived in the country. She was a very attractive girl who lived in a small hut.
One day the news was being spread that the King of England was coming for a visit. Eagerheart was very excited about this news. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the King. On the day that the King was to arrive, another peasant woman, partially covered with a shawl, arrived at Eagerheart's hut with a baby in her arms, asking for lodging. She said that she had been traveling a long way and needed a place to stay for a night with the baby. Eagerheart had compassion for the woman and let her into her hut. She explained that she was "in a hurry to leave and that she had to get to town." With that announcement she was out the door and on her way to see the King.
On her way she encountered three Oriental men who were holding some very expensive gifts. They asked her for help to find their way. After she gave them directions, they explained their purpose. They told her that they had special information that the King was coming. Eagerheart said, "I know, that's why I'm going to the village." The men told her that the special information that they had indicated that they must go to the countryside to find the King. She did not want to argue with them and so she continued on her way. When she got to the village the people were pouring out of the town. She asked someone where they were going. He answered by saying, "The King is coming, and the word is that he's out in the country."
Eagerheart decided that she would follow along with the rest of the crowd. As they got farther and farther away from the village, she noticed that they were getting closer and closer to her little hut. Finally, she noticed a large group of people in front of her hut and she said, "He can't be in there, that is my place!" But when she went inside, she found that same woman she had let into her home. When the woman stood and removed her shawl, Eagerheart knew immediately that it was the queen mother of England and that the baby was indeed the King of England.
Overwhelmed, Eagerheart said, "Oh, had I stayed home, I could have spent the time alone with him!" But then she concluded, "At least I gave him the best that I had."
Source: Robert Schuller, Be an Extraordinary Person in an Ordinary World (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company), p. 112.
One day the news was being spread that the King of England was coming for a visit. Eagerheart was very excited about this news. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the King. On the day that the King was to arrive, another peasant woman, partially covered with a shawl, arrived at Eagerheart's hut with a baby in her arms, asking for lodging. She said that she had been traveling a long way and needed a place to stay for a night with the baby. Eagerheart had compassion for the woman and let her into her hut. She explained that she was "in a hurry to leave and that she had to get to town." With that announcement she was out the door and on her way to see the King.
On her way she encountered three Oriental men who were holding some very expensive gifts. They asked her for help to find their way. After she gave them directions, they explained their purpose. They told her that they had special information that the King was coming. Eagerheart said, "I know, that's why I'm going to the village." The men told her that the special information that they had indicated that they must go to the countryside to find the King. She did not want to argue with them and so she continued on her way. When she got to the village the people were pouring out of the town. She asked someone where they were going. He answered by saying, "The King is coming, and the word is that he's out in the country."
Eagerheart decided that she would follow along with the rest of the crowd. As they got farther and farther away from the village, she noticed that they were getting closer and closer to her little hut. Finally, she noticed a large group of people in front of her hut and she said, "He can't be in there, that is my place!" But when she went inside, she found that same woman she had let into her home. When the woman stood and removed her shawl, Eagerheart knew immediately that it was the queen mother of England and that the baby was indeed the King of England.
Overwhelmed, Eagerheart said, "Oh, had I stayed home, I could have spent the time alone with him!" But then she concluded, "At least I gave him the best that I had."
Source: Robert Schuller, Be an Extraordinary Person in an Ordinary World (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company), p. 112.
