1. Marriage in Christianity Why do people get married?

2. Learning objectives: We will learn what happens in a Christian wedding and We will be able to explore the beliefs that are expressed in actions, words and symbols.

3. What is a Christian marriage ceremony? A marriage is celebrated at a ceremony called a wedding. At a wedding there are various customs, which show that the bride and the groom are making an agreement to care for each other and share the “ups and downs” of life together.

4. Words The bride and groom promise to love each other: “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health” until they are parted by death. The bride and groom make their marriage vows when they give each other a ring. They say: “I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, All that I have I share with you, within the love of God”. What do you think these vows mean?

5. Rings Wedding rings are usually smooth gold bands that have no beginning or end. Rings are like circles of love that have no beginning or end, so they are symbols of eternity. They show that the couple belong together and hope to stay with each other for life.

6. It is a custom for Christian brides to wear a white or cream wedding dress. White is a symbol of purity and innocence. Many brides get married in a veil, which covers their face. The groom lifts up the veil to make sure that he is marrying the right woman.

7. For Christians in Britain it is a custom to finish off the meal with a wedding cake. The cake is usually made of fruit, covered with white icing and has three tiers or levels. Traditionally couples are supposed to save one layer for the birth of their first child.

8. One custom that sometimes takes place after a Christian wedding is “crossing the threshold”. The man carries his bride over the threshold or doorway of their new home. Doors are important symbols. When a couple “cross the threshold” they are opening the door to their new life together.

9. http://request.org.uk/life/weddings- life/2013/06/17/marriage/# Video

10. Many Christians like to get married in a church, but there are lots of other venues.

11. Some weddings have ‘themes’

12. Tasks 1) Why is it important for Christians to get married? 2) What do you think of the Wedding that is being planned in the video? Why do you think this? 3) Why might someone want a traditional wedding in a church rather than a themed wedding or to get married in an unusual place? 4) If you were to get married, describe the type of wedding that you would want.