May and June are often the months for weddings.  Not mine, but both of my sons were married during this time.  (Well, that was quite a few years ago.)  Warm weather, flowers, and after graduation – no wonder the choice is made.  Some weddings are small and simple, but many these days seem in my opinion to be overly lavish affairs.  Is this just a modern phenomenon?

I was curious.  What were ancient weddings like, as described in the Bible?  Interesting, but they were often lavish, noisy, and costly.  Bride and groom both wore expensive clothing.  The bride was decked with jewelry on her head, arms, shoulders, and feet.  Her face was completely covered with a veil, which would remain in place until the couple went to the bridal chamber.  Guests and family were expected to give gifts to the young couple.  Most marriages were arranged, but since people lived in villages, most knew their future spouse already.   Evidently the modern lavish wedding is nothing new.

Whether simple or lavish, God reminds us that the most important ingredient is love.  Love is essential to any relationship.  As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

God’s love for us is unconditional; it is perfect.  Let us love one another.

Judy