The Bride's Story

I had been dreaming of this day since I was a little girl because my groom and I had been promised to each other since childhood. Our year of engagement had been full of anticipation and careful preparation for our wedding feast.

I fasted all day as required, so I felt a little light-headed. I tried hard to concentrate while reciting the prayers of atonement as part of my preparation. Though I had shed some nervous tears earlier, I had to smile when the groom’s messengers arrived and I watched them lay out the garments and ornaments and perfume I was to wear. My dear groom had been so extravagant I could hardly believe my eyes.

As evening drew closer, I stood proudly as my friends clothed me in my exquisite bridal gown and ornaments. I let down my hair as is expected of a bride and carefully placed the crown of fresh myrtle leaves on my head. Over it all was placed the long white veil of betrothal. And then I waited until dusk turned to darkness.

With much joy and shouting, my groom and his friends "searched" the village for me. Finally I saw the torches as they entered my parent’s courtyard. "Come see the treasure I have found," my groom said as he lifted my veil and our eyes met. We walked out onto the street into a procession filled with music and dancing. My groom led me proudly to his house and into the room reserved for the women. Surrounded by my maidens, I sat on the special platform prepared for me. I was not accustomed to being the center of attention and it was exhilarating.

I could see into the room where the feast was spread for the men. Everything was just perfect! My father-in-law was bursting with satisfaction and was being more than generous with the wine. So much time and expense had gone into the preparations, and the wine was extremely important.

After a few hours, I noticed confusion among some of the servers. I was stunned to learn they had run out of wine! This was the ultimate embarrassment and disgrace to the family. I couldn’t hold back the tears as they fell on my lovely wedding dress. Then I saw Mary of Nazareth leave our women’s table. She spoke to my father-in-law and then approached her son, Jesus the carpenter. I heard Jesus tell the servers to fill up the six big water jugs in the hallway, right to the brim. Then he told them to dip some out of a jug and give it to the master of the feast, who, when he tasted it, immediately asked my groom why he had saved the best wine till last.

My groom and his father were speechless. Their reputations were saved, and the biggest day of my life didn’t end in disgrace. Mary told me later Jesus was at first reluctant to do this because it was not time for his power to be shown publicly. Jesus went on to do the most amazing things and was finally crucified, then raised from the dead! So we will never forget how he chose our wedding feast to begin his great work and, at the same time, touch our lives in such a beautiful way.

Joyce Catherwood

Copyright 2006