Let me tell you ‘romance is not dead!’ On Saturday 23rd January I escaped North Ayrshire to marry lovebirds Lee and Juliana in Dairsie Castle, nr Cupar and what a joy it was! Alas, lockdown restrictions limited the gathering to 5 but it could not diminish the new Mr & Mrs Wilson’s delight as family and friends in Irvine and Rio de Janeiro joined in via a webcast to witness them enter the holy covenant of marriage.

Globetrotter Lee took a year out cycling and hitchhiking around the world and while couch-surfing in Brazil he met his gem and jewel ‘Juliana’. A long distance romance ensued and last March, between Glencoe’s snowy mountains, Lee knelt in a rainy puddle and asked Juliana to be his wife, and they are a great match. Speaking of which it’s a rare event when Scotland win on the same field as Brazil, but both countries definitely came out on top in Fife.

Now, Juliana is a Pride and Prejudice fanatic, so ‘I dare say that she wed her Mr Darcy at Dairsie’ and what a gorgeous historic setting Dairsie Castle is. In the 17th century it was sold to John Spottiswoode (1565–1639), Archbishop of St Andrews, who built Dairsie Old Church Sanctuary next to the castle in 1621. Spottiswoode was a controversial historical figure and eventually the castle fell into rack and ruin only to be renewed by a Japanese couple who have created an artistic masterpiece in and outdoors. And Laird and Lady Lee looked right at home in their temporary abode.

Juliana was radiant in her white dress & Lee resplendent in his highland regalia, both thrilled to be marrying their beloved. In the Bible, ‘WE’ the People of God and Church of Christ are likened to a bride being readied for the ultimate wedding and feast of all-time, when we will be married to Jesus Christ. What a Romance wooed and won into by God’s grace, faith, hope and love! In Revelation 19 the image of Our pure white bride’s dress, paid for by Christ’s blood on the Cross, is of extra cloth being added to beautify us further. Every act of our loving sacrifice & service is a stitch, pattern or bit of cloth, giving glory to the God who, from before time, had us in his eye for such communion and loving activity (Ephesians 2:10).

Juliana and Lee’s wedding gives us a vivid picture of the coming day when we shall be with the Lord, totally united with Christ & all God’s People of every time & place, head over heels in love. A picture to inspire & encourage us when times are tough and following Jesus is hard. Like a sport’s team with their eye set on winning The Cup, the glorious Wedding Day awaiting each one of Christ’s followers, can be the vision to hold us steady & spur us onwards and upwards, giving our lives over in humble service & sacrifice.

Revelation 19:6-12 (NIV)

‘Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”(Fine linen stands for the good works of God’s People.)

What a dress it will be, what a day, what a wedding, what a life together forever with God. Thank you ‘Lee and Juliana’ for reminding us of our covenant calling in Christ!