Meanings of Wedding Traditions (Part 2)

In June, we began to learn about the Meanings of Wedding Traditions.  Today, I want to continue sharing two more deeply meaningful symbols of God's covenantal relationship with us through the blood of Christ, which are exemplified in the wedding ceremony.  This has been a fascinating study for me, and has deepened my appreciation for, and enjoyment of, the wedding ceremony.

First, let me encourage you to go back and read Part 1 by clicking on the link above!  Second, allow me to remind you where in the Bible we see some of the symbolism of the marriage covenant.  Did you realize that marriage is not a contract, but a covenant, and a picture of the covenant between God and His Bride, all those who are saved by faith in Jesus Christ?  In Genesis 15, we see the picture of a covenant.  The word "covenant" comes from a word which means to cut.  When God made a covenant with Abraham, He made an animal sacrifice, and cut the animals in half and placed the two halves opposite each other, leaving an "aisle" between.  That ground in the middle, that path, was considered "holy" ground.  God initiated the unbreakable covenant with Abraham, by walking between the two parts, down the aisle. That is where the blood covenant is established and where the union is made.

Today I want to tell you the Biblical meaning of two traditions which have, in many modern weddings and marriages today, been tossed aside as unnecessary and archaic, or inconvenient, at least.  I hope you will agree with me after reading that they are deeply meaningful and symbolic of essential Truths of Scripture!

The Bridal Veil

The veil actually has deep significance and symbolism, and it gives me chills just thinking about its meaning!  Let me share with you.  It first of all symbolizes modesty and the virtue of purity of the bride, completing the white wedding dress.  The bridal veil also symbolizes a Biblical veil, that veil or curtain found in the Temple of Old Testament worship, which was there to prevent anyone from entering into the presence of the Holy of Holies, where the presence of Almighty God resided.  Only the High Priest could enter at certain times and after significant ritual cleansing.  If one entered into the presence of the Most High God, the Holy One of Israel, they would die.  This Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom when Christ died, symbolizing what was accomplished on the cross:  God removed the barrier forever between His Bride and Himself through Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection. The veil was removed! God was the Only One who could accomplish this, as it was enormously heavy, thick and tall. We now have full access to God through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross.  The lifting of the bridal veil says there's nothing between the bride and groom, they have full access to each other, and symbolizes that we can now enter boldly into the presence of a Holy God, because of what Christ has done for us.

The Presentation of the Couple

When the minister introduces the couple to the wedding guests, he is drawing attention to their new identity and the name change brought about through the marriage. Similarly, in the blood covenant, the two parties would exchange some part of their names. In Genesis 15, God gave Abram a new name, Abraham, by adding letters from his own name, Yahweh. The presence of a breath of air (the 'h') into his name symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved.  We have a new name--we are called by His Name--when we become His and become one with Him at salvation.  God gave Abram a new name, Abraham, signifying the new covenant He had made with him, and their oneness.  We are changed when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, and we are called "new creatures" when we become Christ's Bride!  This is the Biblical symbolism behind why the bride takes on the name of the groom, and not the other way around.  This is why the bride doesn't keep her own name.

Stay tuned for more Meanings of Wedding Traditions to come!


(For these and more, visit http://christianity.about.com/od/weddingceremony/a/weddingtraditions_2.htm)

Love and Marriage: Worth Waiting For (Fruitful Lives)

We have had company staying with us for a week now: my brother and nephew came a week ago Saturday, and then friends (a young couple with their 3-month-old baby) arrived last Wednesday and left yesterday.  My brother and nephew will be with us until Saturday. It's a little busy around here! So, I decided this week I would re-post some articles which I have written in the past, which you may not have read, or if you have, contain messages which we need to be reminded of (me included!) and I think you will enjoy! 

Please continue to comment, as I am checking my blog daily, and love the encouragement of your prayers and comments! I'm thinking about all of you and praying for you!

The following was a very popular post almost a year ago, and also shows us an example which I wish we saw more often of "love and marriage".  As I am in the process of planning a baby shower for Rachel, who recently gave birth to a little baby girl, I thought it appropriate to share about, and think, once again on the beginnings of Derek and Rachel's life together!

Mr. K and Rachel

Derek (in uniform)
Preparing for his Bride

These past few days we've had the joy of meditating on marriage once more as Saturday we attended Derek and Rachel's wedding--the 4th wedding that we've attended and served at this summer! Two days earlier we'd also had the pleasure of attending what the groom's family calls a "Celebration Dinner." I love this custom they've established in their family! Let me tell you about it! When one of the T family's sons marries (this is the third), instead of hosting a groom's dinner or rehearsal dinner, they host a celebration dinner celebrating all that God has done, and honoring and sharing with 100 or so of their closest friends and family: people who've been special to, or invested in the lives of, the bride and groom and their families. It's an intimate evening of loving God and family, with the special theme of gratefulness.

On this past Thursday, the bride and groom and the groom's family, especially, expressed humble gratitude and honor to God, their family and friends. The couple each shared their salvation testimony, retold the story of their courtship and engagement, and the father of the groom charged his son with the seriousness of what he was about to do--he shared from scripture and gave his son a personal challenge, designed specifically for him, to help him as he begins his new role as husband and leader of his own family, and is no longer under the authority of his father, but is now in a relationship of receiving counsel.

It was a very moving evening. There was an intimacy--a warmth, a closeness--in this evening, that was not present even at the wedding. It was a great privilege to be able to share in this special event.  Derek and Rachel shared the story of how God had led them to each other: the patience and trust it had taken waiting for God's leading and timing; and the importance of the parental counsel, prayer and involvement from both of their parents.

Marriage is a serious step, a serious commitment, not to be entered into lightly. Marriage is forever. Mr. T., the father of the groom, exhorted his son, Derek, to be a "good fighter," an appropriate charge in light of the fact that Derek had just finished Boot Camp this past year and is now in the Marine Reserves. Mr. T. told Derek that he must fight against three enemies and to remember Rachel is never the enemy. He must fight against:  his own selfishness (it would not be "my own" time, money, etc., anymore); fear (am I going to have enough work--how will I provide?); and lies (the world, media and people would be attacking the way they live and the choices they make, and speaking lies every day).

And he exhorted him to fight for three things. He counseled Derek to fight for his family, for truth, and for what is right. He shared from the book of Nehemiah and used the example of the building of the wall, in which each family was building right where they were:  at the same time they were fighting their enemies with one hand, they were building with the other.

Then, on Saturday, the day of the wedding, two things especially impressed me.

• During the wedding reception, as Derek sincerely thanked his parents, he expressed the desire that he might become like his father someday. The bride and groom honored their guests and parents by coming to the microphone and addressing them, taking time to express their gratitude: to their guests for coming to the wedding, and to their parents for how they'd been raised, (and to each other's parents for raising someone so wonderful).  They thanked their parents for all the sacrifices, for everything they had done--it was very special. And the K family publicly thanked all the people who had helped serve (especially Mrs. D. who had planned and orchestrated the serving of the meal, and had been responsible for overseeing everyone and everything--a mammouth undertaking).

• The second thing which especially impressed me was that Rachel's family, which now included Derek, sang and played their instruments for the 650 guests who attended the outdoor wedding. It was meaningful to me that the couple took time to give something special back to all who were there, not only unselfishly standing in line to talk to each and every one of their guests--before they ate anything themselves--but also sharing music in an unhurried "mini-concert." It was something I've never seen before--the wedding couple getting up during the reception, singing and playing instruments as a family--the bride in her wedding dress--for the enjoyment of the wedding guests.

A Grateful Bride and Groom Expressing their Gratitude

Playing

...and Singing

Gratitude, honor, humbleness, unselfishness, love of family, faithfulness to God and your mate--these were the themes at Derek and Rachel's wedding:
a great way to start out life together!

Love and Marriage: Meaning Of Wedding Traditions

June is traditionally the wedding month. Last summer we were busily involved in four weddings! Perhaps you have already attended a wedding or two this month, and probably the majority of us could name someone we know who is getting married soon. "Love is in the air!" It's an exciting time, and everyone knows the sense of breathless anticipation on that special day when all the guests rise and turn to watch as the doors open and the bride appears. But why does the bride enter after the groom? Why does she wear white? Why do the bride and groom exchange rings?

Do you know the spiritual meaning of these beautiful elements in a wedding? Do you know how they point to the marriage of the Church--the Bride--to Christ? I've attended weddings in recent years in which some of the meanings were printed in the wedding program. I felt it added so much to the ceremony to know the spiritual symbolism behind the traditions.


So, I want to share with you the meanings of some of our most common wedding traditions:


First, we need to know that marriage is a covenant, not just a contract. We've been studying Genesis in our church, and in chapter 15 we see God instituting a covenant with Abraham. This shows us some of the symbolism we see in a wedding, strangely enough.


Where did the idea of an Aisle come from?
The word "covenant" comes from a word which means to cut. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He made an animal sacrifice, and cut the animals in half and placed the two halves opposite each other, leaving an "aisle" between. That ground in the middle, that path, was considered "holy" ground.


God initiated the unbreakable covenant with Abraham, by walking between the two parts, down the aisle. God also gave Abram a new name: Abraham. If you say these names, you realize that there is an addition of “breath” into the name, and breath is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. (We take Christ’s name when we are saved and become His, and this is the symbolism of the bride taking the groom’s name when married.)

• Seating of the family and friends on either side of the aisle

Family and friends of the bride and groom are seated on opposite sides of the church to symbolize the cutting of the blood covenant. These witnesses—the family, friends, and invited guests—are all participants in the wedding covenant, and many of them have made sacrifices to help prepare the couple for marriage and to support them in their holy union.

• Center Aisle and the White Runner

The center aisle represents the meeting ground, or the pathway between the animal pieces where the blood covenant is established. The white runner symbolizes holy ground where two lives are joined as one by God. (Exodus 3:5, Matthew 19:6)

• Groom Enters First

Ephesians 5:23-32 reveals that earthly marriages are a picture of the church's union with Christ. God initiated the relationship through Christ, who called and came for his bride, the church. Christ is the Groom, who established the blood covenant first initiated by God. For this reason, the groom enters the church auditorium first.

• White Wedding Dress

The white wedding dress has a two-fold significance. It is a symbol of the wife's purity in heart and life, and in reverence to God. It's also a picture of the righteousness of Christ described in Revelation 19:7-8. Christ clothes his bride, the church, in his own righteousness as a garment of "fine linen, bright and clean."

• Exchanging of Rings

While the wedding ring is an outward symbol of the couple's inward bond, illustrating with an unending circle the eternal quality of love, it signifies so much more in light of the blood covenant.

A ring was used as a seal of authority. When pressed into hot wax, the impression of the ring left an official seal on legal documents. Therefore, when the couple wears a wedding ring, they demonstrate their submission to God's authority over their marriage. The couple recognizes that God brought them together and that he is intricately involved in every part of their covenant relationship.

A ring also represents resources. When the couple exchanges wedding rings, it symbolizes the giving of all their resources—their wealth, possessions, talents, and emotions—to the other in marriage. In the blood covenant, the two parties exchanged belts, which form a circle when worn.

Thus, the exchanging of the rings is another sign of their covenant relationship. Similarly, God chose a rainbow, which forms a circle, as a sign of his covenant with Noah. (Genesis 9:12-16)

These and other Meanings of Wedding Ceremony Traditions can be found at this link.

The marriage of a man and a woman and the wedding ceremony have deep spiritual significance! I hope you’ll think of these deeper meanings when you next attend a wedding, and as you remember or plan your own wedding day!