The Honor Guard at the Wedding

Over the past weekend, my wife and I attended the wedding of our son up in Berrien Springs, MI. In spite of my bias, I must say it was a very happy event for all who were there. The weather was warm and sunny. Excuse me, I lie. It was hot (93 degrees) and sunny, and the formal pictures were taken outside. Otherwise, it was a wonderful weekend.

Berrien Springs, a rather small town, is the sight of Andrews University, where our son is attending the seminary. His new bride teaches sixth grade at a local 8-grade private school. She is an extremely popular teacher, and is really loved by the students (and their parents) she's taught during the last two years. This past year, our son was the worship director for the main church service at Pioneer Memorial Church (having perhaps 1,200 in attendance) on campus, with the responsibility for organizing everything except the sermon. He came away from the experience with high regard on the part of both the parishioners and the pastoral staff.

So it wasn't a surprise to us when we saw the outpouring of love and affection of the locals at the wedding. Mothers of two of the bride's students oversaw the entire weekend - the rehearsal dinner, wedding coordination, reception, decorations - I mean everything! Of course, they had the help of a number of others. It seems as if they couldn't do enough for our kids. Our son has an appointment with the Florida Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists to begin pastoring somehwere in that state next June. At least four Berrien folks told my wife and/or me that some of the locals would like to see the Michigan Conference to buy out our son's contract with Florida so they can keep the newlyweds in Berrien Springs. Wouldn't that be a hoot!

The ceremony was well done. The pastor did a great job, the music was fantastic. But to me, the highlight for our son and his bride was what the coordinator had organized with more than thirty sixth- and seventh-graders. For the Bridal Procession, the students lined either side of the main aisle as an honor guard, each holding a lit candle. When the bride reached the front of the church, her eyes seemed to be brimming with tears.

This took my mind to several Biblical themes. Of course, I remembered from the Book of Matthew the story of the 10 virgins with their lamps who went out to meet the bridegroom. But that didn't quite fit the situation, when I thought it over. Half of them weren't prepared, and they weren't there to honor the bride. So my mind went looking for another application. and I think that in the book Revelation there are some hints of what I was sensing, where it speaks of the wedding of the Lamb. He has returned to earth for His bride (the church) and then regressed to heaven. And that is where I envision the parallel with our new daughter-in-law's honor guard.

Can't you just see them? Innumerable glorious angels, reflecting the light and glory of Christ as they line the corridors of heaven honoring Christ and His Bride as they travel through space to their heavenly home. I so much want to see it, experience it. I don't know who'll cry out fo joy the more: the angels, those of us who make up the Bride, the Bridegroom or His/our Father who'll be standing waiting at the door. Dont' you want to be there?

And we won't have to worry about people tying tin cans to our fiery chariots or short-sheeting us on the honeymoon!

Dr. G