Hebrew weddings are so fascinating! After bargaining for a bride price, the marriage contract was legal, (although it could be annulled for certain reasons.) The bridegroom went away during the "engagement year" and built an addition to his family's home, while the bride prepared clothing and home furnishings. They didn't speak to each other, but sent messages through friends. The bride didn't know the exact night he would come to get her. But when the time was close, friends would gather with her at night with lamps and wait to hear the music and shout of the groom coming.
They were blessed by a kinsman in front of the new home, under a canopy. The wedding party would witness their hands being bound together. The night of the "taking of the wife" wasn't a religious or legal ceremony, but rather the traditional celebration of the start of a new family. This was no somber occasion: the feasting and music lasted a week.
No one dared miss the "taking" night, because if you got in that night, it meant you didn't have to work for a week. (People who weren't good enough friends to wait up that night, and showed up late, without a wedding garment, looking for a free meal, weren't admitted.)
Brides and grooms wore all the rich trappings their families owned. They were treated like royalty, and sometimes wore crowns. The bride wore her dowry (the part of the bride price that her father gave her), usually gold coins. And although Hebrew women always covered their hair after being engaged, the bride showed her hair plaited (braided) with gold and pearls.
And we are going to make sure Mary and Joseph look the part! The Resource Depot has supplied us with a great deal of white fabric, and the gold yogurt lids below, which looked like antique beaten gold. If you have any gold/fake gold jewelry to lend, or would like to help sew fringe on the wedding veils, please contact me! (Liz lizzyrobertson@yahoo.com)
Mary & Joseph's family and friends will be dressed in prayer shawls (men) and head scarves (women), as demonstrated so nicely by Brother and Sister Styrofoam. They will also be carrying torches (men) and olive oil lamps (women.) The head wear stills needs some hemming, so if you can sew a straight line, please help with these props!
Sister Gonzalez finished embroidering our swaddling band in ONE WEEK. It's beautiful--and the pattern matches on the back and front, a symbol of integrity: inner and outer faithfulness. Nancy Morris will edge it, and it will keep our baby Jesus wrapped and warm.
Nancy, our costume mistress, is an organizing master, and is sorting our play costumes. If you are acting in the play, you can wear your costume that night. If you volunteer at a booth, we may have some extra costumes, but it's first come, first serve. Those pieces of fabric at the bottom are free for the taking, and she and I will be at the church next Tuesday @ 10 am if you want some sewing help. If you have children in the music concert, or if you plan on attending, come make something!
Prepare to be dressed right: this is a party you won't want to miss!
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