NO, I did NOT get up at 4:00 this morning to see the "Wedding of the Universe." (That is what the major networks are calling it, aren't they?) I did, however, wake up on my own around 6:00 and, yes, I did turn on the tube in time to see the actual ceremony live.
It is not William and Catherine's fault the media is so insane about covering every possible "angle" (including imagined angles!) of the event. I admit that the coverage since their announced engagement has left me longing for the thing to be over with so we could talk about something else. The ceremony, however, held several unexpected (I admit my "expectations" are my own fault.) surprises including:
1. At least the ABC news people kept quiet during the actual ceremony.
2. The content of the wedding homily (sermon for all my Baptist brothers and sisters!) was, well, amazing. The message starts at time marker 3:40 in this clip. Be patient if you click it on the day of the wedding as I'm sure lots of people are trying to view it...it was slow.)
The text of the message can be found here: http://cathleenfalsani.com/2011/04/29/the-royal-wedding-homily-by-dr-richard-chartres-anglican-bishop-of-london/
Having done my share of weddings, I was VERY impressed with the content of this message.
3. The reading of Romans 12 by Kate's brother. You can read it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:1-18&version=NIV
What a great passage to be read at a wedding. This Romans passage does not just describe the kind of life our Father wants to give married couples in Christ, but this is His desire for all His children. Can you imagine a world in which people lived this way?
4. The simple prayer composed by William and Catherine read by the Archbishop of London, Dr. Richard Chartres:
It is not William and Catherine's fault the media is so insane about covering every possible "angle" (including imagined angles!) of the event. I admit that the coverage since their announced engagement has left me longing for the thing to be over with so we could talk about something else. The ceremony, however, held several unexpected (I admit my "expectations" are my own fault.) surprises including:
1. At least the ABC news people kept quiet during the actual ceremony.
2. The content of the wedding homily (sermon for all my Baptist brothers and sisters!) was, well, amazing. The message starts at time marker 3:40 in this clip. Be patient if you click it on the day of the wedding as I'm sure lots of people are trying to view it...it was slow.)
The text of the message can be found here: http://cathleenfalsani.com/2011/04/29/the-royal-wedding-homily-by-dr-richard-chartres-anglican-bishop-of-london/
Having done my share of weddings, I was VERY impressed with the content of this message.
3. The reading of Romans 12 by Kate's brother. You can read it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:1-18&version=NIV
What a great passage to be read at a wedding. This Romans passage does not just describe the kind of life our Father wants to give married couples in Christ, but this is His desire for all His children. Can you imagine a world in which people lived this way?
4. The simple prayer composed by William and Catherine read by the Archbishop of London, Dr. Richard Chartres:
God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
An estimated two BILLION people watched this wedding, so I hope at least some of them really listened to the homily and the scripture reading. It will be interesting to see all the dissecting of today's events, and specifically the extent to which commentators go on and on about Kate's wedding dress, yet completely ignore the content of the service. Ouch! There I go being cynical again!
May we all pray a great marriage for William and Catherine, and they will have such a marriage if they trust Christ to make a continuing reality of what they heard throughout their ceremony. May each of us be so committed to Christ to see it happen in our lives, too!
An estimated two BILLION people watched this wedding, so I hope at least some of them really listened to the homily and the scripture reading. It will be interesting to see all the dissecting of today's events, and specifically the extent to which commentators go on and on about Kate's wedding dress, yet completely ignore the content of the service. Ouch! There I go being cynical again!
May we all pray a great marriage for William and Catherine, and they will have such a marriage if they trust Christ to make a continuing reality of what they heard throughout their ceremony. May each of us be so committed to Christ to see it happen in our lives, too!
1 comment:
I agree with you about the wedding ceremony, especially the homily, the reading of Romans 12, and the prayer the bride and groom wrote.
For them and the entire world, I pray that their love will prevail throughout a long an happy life together. B. Kent
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