Joyful Weddings THAT HONOR JEHOVAH

WELSH AND ELTHEA WERE MARRIED IN SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA, IN 1985.  NOW AND HEY THEY LOOK AT THEIR WEDDING ALBUM WITH THEIR DAUGHTER, ZINZI,  AND RELIVE THAT JOYFUL DAY.  ZINZI LOVES TO IDENTIFY THE WEDDING GUEST AND ESPECIALLY ENJOYS PICTURES OF HER MOTHER DRESSED SO BEAUTIFULLY.

THE Wedding started with a marriage talk given in a community hall in Soweto.  Then a choir of Christian youths sang sons of praise to God in four-part harmony.  Next, the guests enjoyed a meal while a music tape of Kingdom melodies played softly in the background.  No alcoholic  beverages were served, and there was no loud music or dancing.  Instead, the guests  enjoyed associating  together the proceedings lasted about three hours.  "It was a wedding that will always being me fond memories," recalled Raymond, a Christian elder.

At the time of their wedding, Welsh and Elthea were volunteer workers at the South Africa branch of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.  They could not afford  more than a modest wedding.  Some Christians have chosen to leave the full-time ministry and get secular jobs in order to cover the expenses of an elaborate wedding.  However, Welsh and Elthea have no regrets, that they chose to have a modest wedding because it allowed them to continue serving God as full-time ministers until the birth of Zinzi.

What, though, if a couple should choose to have secular music and dancing at their wedding? What if they decide to provide wine or other alcoholic beverages? What if they can afford a large and elaborate wedding? How can they make sure that the event will turn out to be a happy occasion that befits worshipers of God? Such questions need careful consideration, for the Bible commands: "Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God's glory." -1 Corinthians 10:31.

Next time:Avoiding Revelry

The Watchtower, 2000