Royal weddings like today’s between Kate Middleton and the second in line to the throne of England, Prince William, come closer than any other event to the Royal Wedding that I am looking forward to.  Kate comes from a family with no hope of becoming royalty because of their background, yet she is chosen by a future king to enjoy all the privileges of the kingdom.  As the bishop who married them said:  “O GOD, who … hast consecrated the state of matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church..” which is taken straight from Ephesians 5:32.

That is going to be a great day and today’s royal wedding gives some idea of the glory, pageantry and celebration of that day.

I wonder how many people though stop to really analyse why a royal wedding with a so-called “fairy tale” element to it should move their hearts so much that even the most cynical observer cannot but fail to have hope awakened in them? That countries should declare a national holiday with celebrations in the streets?  That billions of people should watch and enjoy it – not really understanding why?  Is it rational to have so much joy given the fate of William’s parent’s similar marriage?

But really this is not about Kate and William or their parents.

The only answer to why a royal wedding has such impact really is the fact that God has given to every man some measure of faith (Romans 12:3) or as the Preacher puts it, eternity in their hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  God has indeed ordained marriage, days like today prove that to those with eyes to see.  But even those who can’t see that specifically know something special is happening.

It is more than just a good English pomp and ceremony show that causes them to weep.  Its the possibility that they too could be like Kate.  And that is no fairy tale.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him…..” (John 3:16)