Unveiled

So it’s been a little over a month since we got engaged and much has happened. I think we have all the big ticket items in place and now it’s all the fun details that get a tad bit overwhelming if you start to list them.

Luckily, we have some pretty amazing people around us that have offered help when we need it!

Blake picked up his suit last Saturday and I just got the call today that my dress is ready! For some reason now that my dress will be hanging in my closet makes this all more real to me.

I still don’t have all the pieces of my wedding day attire. I have my shoes of course and sadly-I bought those maybe before I was even engaged-sssh don’t tell! They were just too perfect not to own! I now have my dress. I may have just seen the perfect necklace online today and I even have the garter. But I don’t have a veil!

I have looked at plenty online-bubble veils, blushers, and the adorable birdcage veils. I have tried a few on but I have yet to find the one I want.

For as long as I can remember I have always thought a veil was necessary. Otherwise you are just a girl in a big poufy white dress. It’s putting on the veil that pulls it all together. When else are you going to wear a veil?

It hit me this week-Holy Week-that the need for the veil is even greater. I love the idea that I’ll be walking down the aisle wearing a veil over my face with my father approaching my bridegroom. My father will give me away to my future husband and lift my veil. No longer will there be separation between me and my groom.

Does that sound familiar to you? If you get a chance this week pick up your Bible and read Luke 23. It’s painful and you will cringe and perhaps cry as you read the suffering that our Savior endured for us on the cross. However, take note of one of the last things that happened right before he breathed his last breath.

44 Now it was[l] about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened,[m] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”[n] Having said this, He breathed His last.

Did you catch it? The veil was torn in two. What does that even mean? Why is that even important to know?

I was blessed to go to a Christian elementary school and one of the big things that stood out was our study of the Jewish temple in Bible class. We learned all about the way it was built, the symbolism and the role of the priests within the community. One of the things I remember my teacher pointing out to us was the temple veil. The veil separated man from God or from the “holy of holies.” (Ex 26:31, 33) Even the high priest was only allowed to go into the sacred area once a year on the Day of Atonement.

But that all ended when Christ died for you and me on Good Friday. The sky went black, the veil was torn in two and Jesus breathed His last breath.

Man and God were no longer separated. Jesus ended the separation. The veil was torn in two. The Bride was united with her Bridegroom.

What an amazing image that is for me as a bride-to-be but also as a child of God. I don’t have to be afraid or approach with caution or be a high priest to come close to the throne of God. Christ ended all of that at the cross.

This Easter I am going to reflect on what that means to me as the bride of Christ. I have full access to my King. His Death and Resurrection made that possible. May you enjoy the freedom this week offers you. The sorrow of the cross allows you to rejoice in the torn veil and approach the holy of holies any and all the time!