Yes, we homeschoolers are notorious for never missing a fieldtrip or virtual fieldtrip and this one was well worth waking up at 4:00 am. Of course besides the grandeur of it all what struck me so poignantly was the timelessness and beauty of the explicitly Christian service and the slightly modified Anglican Solemnization of Matrimony. I transcribed it for ye all...
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of god Himself signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended in holy writ to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
First, it was ordained for the increase of mankind, according to the will of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of His Holy Name.
Secondly it was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections implanted by God, should be hallowed and directed aright; that those who are called by God in this holy estate should continue therein in pureness of living.
Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
I think this is a very well executed document and vow to God and we will milk this for all it's worth in book reports, discussions, world view, history etc. We'll definitely keep coming back to this one in future years with the girls. The first hymn they sang, Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah by Williams and Hughes will work for our monthly hymn. Somedays school is so easy, it's like someone just hands it to you on a plate all packaged and ready to go.
the Hebrew God, the one represented in the faith on display today at the royal ceremony just struck me as so magnanimous and there! Just there: He is God and that’s all there is to it. The scriptural reading done by Kate’s brother, (It was Romans 12) was just so refreshing and he did an excellent job of it. This is our God and this is our faith that was, and is, and forever will be! We may not be practicing Anglicans but we know of our God and His ways wherever we hear them.
I will have the girls memorize Romans 12 for their memorization this week and our history lessons in on the roots of Western Civilization via An Island Story by H E Marshall (We are currently at the beginning of the Tudor Dynasty) is all the better for this pleasant distraction. I say bring on unit studies, drag out the century books and timelines is the Archbishop Thomas a Becket's descendant or not, how old is the abbey and just how many feet high is the ceiling...bring it on! Of course one of our favorite Year 1 poems is Buckingham Palace by A A Milne:
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
Says Alice.
They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We saw a guard in a sentry-box.
"One of the sergeants looks after their socks,"
Says Alice....
If all the words which they spoke-most of which were straight from the scriptures verbatim) were true; then what an awesome God we serve. May the Lord bless them both and keep them and make His face to shine on them and be gracious to them and give them peace…peace.
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