I didn't plan on going gaga over the British Royal Wedding. I was actually leaning toward being a bit disdainful of it all. After all, our world is in such calamity, wars and natural disasters, death and misery, how can I really condone such pomp? However, I was curious about the dress, and I love hat watching, so I knew I would take a peek, but then I got enthralled. I think it was my first look at the graceful majesty of the architecture of Westminster Abby, the verdant row of trees that decorated the aisle, and the vision of a classic princess, so small and elegantly attired in such a huge and regal place. Seeing and sensing the importance and rarity of a royal ceremony, she in her understated tiara and dress walking down the aisle, met by him in his uniformed perfection, I immediately though of the Biblical connotations. Suddenly I was thinking of a spiritual parallel, the kind that runs through all of nature and human affairs, the spark that reminds us all that there is some force greater than ourselves, constantly influencing us and wooing us to be awakened to the deeper truths.
The true church of Jesus Christ, made up of all true believers within all the various churches and denominations throughout the world, it is called His Bride. At some point in time there will be a kind of heavenly ceremony where the church will be presented to Jesus Christ in a joyous ceremony likened to a marriage ceremony and feast (*). When I really thought about how beautiful this royal wedding ceremony was, I began to get a bit amazed and excited imagining that one day such a thing will occur in the heavenly realms, with the God of the Universe and space and time. If mortal men and women can create and plan such loveliness, from the ancient buildings, to the soaring voices of the choir and even the handmade lace on the bride’s sleeves, how much more will God Himself demonstrate on that day? How much more will people have to rejoice over on that day - when God makes His Kingdom Come and His will done, and there is finally peace on earth and not even a wisp of sin or misery?
We do live in secular times, but this royal wedding was steeped in old, religious tradition. Normally that does not turn me on, normally I would be skeptical of religions tradition. As the Prince and his Bride repeated their vows they said things like betwixt and troth, words no longer common to our vernacular, but it brought to me the mindset of a time when there was great weight and importance to vows, to rulers and to making them in the sight of God, and how those rulers and vows could influence the world and the people they ruled for good or bad. Passages were read from the Bible book of Romans (here), and Father, Son and Holy Ghost were entreated again and again. I was reminded that the truth of God and His ways will go forth. God continues to remind the people of the world that He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, more fitting and fair than the figure heads of earthy kingdoms and the men and women who wield that power behind them, often without true justice or mercy. More lovely than the lords in their uniforms and medals and the ladies in their haute couture and hats. Moreover, God Himself extends the invitation to His ceremony to all of us, commoner and royalty alike, though He certainly has a soft spot for the common man and woman. Have you received your invitation?
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Many blessings upon the royal couple.
