We’ve put our own twists on wedding traditions. While many weddings are still held in cathedrals, churches and chapels, they’re now leaving the church walls and seeking out exotic locations to “tie the knot” – mountaintops, home base baseball stadiums, beaches and boats. Wedding music is no longer limited to the bridal march. We’ve embraced country, western, hip hop and pop. We’ve added wedding candles and wedding sand. But one element remains the same in every wedding ceremony: the highlight of the event is the bride’s entrance! It all leads up to the bride’s entrance, adorned in an elaborate gown that highlights her beauty.

I love outdoor weddings. At one I attended, the flower girl entered the gazebo under a brilliant blue sky and scattered petals along the bride’s path. She stopped at the entrance, pulled a rope to ring a bell in the ceiling, and then excitedly called out, “She’s coming! She’s coming!” The crowd giggled and smiled, as they always do when children perform, then turned their heads to get their first glimpse of the bride.

It reminded me of Jesus’ love for weddings. His first miracle was at Cana of Galilee, where he turned water into wine so that the wedding moment would not be spoiled. It also reminded me of the wedding scene foretold in the Bible. The Bible is clear. One day Jesus will return like a bridegroom ready to receive his bride. Jesus said, “I will come again.” (John 14:3) He urged us to be persistent and patient, waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. (Matthew 25:1-13)

If Jesus is the Bridegroom, then who is the bride? According to the Bible, we are. Scripture teaches that everyone who trusts in and follows Jesus Christ helps to form the bride of Christ. We are the bride of Christ as members of His Church. Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her. He cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present her to himself in all her glory, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27). We are the bride of Christ as citizens of the Holy City that God has built in heaven. (Revelation 21) Like a bride preparing for her wedding, we must prepare for His coming.

I hear the flower girl’s voice in my ear: “He is coming! He is coming!” “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let him who is thirsty come; and let him who will take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)