What is the benediction in a wedding ceremony?

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Each aspect of the traditional religious wedding ceremony exists to unite the marrying couple in holy matrimony. From the sacred vows to the lighting of the unity candle, these holy traditions are a spiritual representation of the act of two people becoming one. In that spirit, the benediction, when used in a wedding ceremony, asks God's blessing upon the union and wedded couple. Secular variations of benedictions are often used in secular weddings.

1. The Benediction in Religion

   • The Holy Bible is full of benedictions, or pronouncements or requests for the Lord's divine blessing upon his followers. Benedictions often take the form of prayers, and are performed throughout religious worship services as a concise, usually joyful, reminder of God's love and blessings. Often, a religious worship service will end with a benediction as a final call to faith and continued prayer and worship for those present.

   The Benediction in the Wedding Ceremony

   • As part of a wedding ceremony, the benediction is often used to assert the faith of the marrying couple and their family and friends. Benedictions may be used as prayers at the beginning of the ceremony to set a reverent tone for the vows and invoke the Lord's presence during the ceremony. Additionally, a benediction may be used as a closing prayer that reminds the married couple and their loved ones of the blessing of marriage while exhorting the virtues of continued faith.

   Wedding Benedictions in the Bible

   • While few of the benedictions found in the Holy Bible are specific to marriage, many of these benedictions call to mind the holy bonds of matrimony, and are used in the wedding ceremony. Examples of benedictions from the Bible that are suitable for wedding ceremonies include:

     "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6)

     "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

     "God is able to make all grace abound toward you- that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

   Secular Benedictions

   • The benediction also has its place in secular wedding ceremonies. In a secular ceremony, the benediction is not a prayer, bur rather is a blessing upon the couple from the official who is performing the marriage, such as a justice of the peace, or even a family member or loved one of the marrying couple.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding ceremony, blessing upon, marrying couple, benediction wedding, benediction wedding ceremony