Is the exchange of wedding rings a Christian tradition? You may know that rings have been exchanged for thousands of years, much before the advent of Christianity. And, while there are no bible verses that reference the exchange of rings in a marriage ceremony, in all contemporary ceremonies both the bride and groom are expected to do so.
The Christian tradition of exchanging the wedding ring during vows dates back to 870 AD, and the rings have come to symbolize honor, commitment, and love between the bride and the groom. Traditionally, after the vows are repeated, and the rings are exchanged, and in many Christian sects the rings are blessed by the Priest before hand. Some typical vows include:
“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love; and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“This ring I give you, in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.”
“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, take and wear this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.”
Faithful couples do not necessarily need to seek out specialized Christian bands, standard wedding bands serve this purpose just fine, but today, many Christians also choose to use their wedding rings to symbolize the importance of spiritual commitment to one another. To serve as a daily reminder that God is involved in the sanctity of their marriage.
Through verses in the Holy Bible, God urges simplicity and warns Christians to shy away from flashy jewelry. Following suit, most Christian rings are simple adaptations from standard bands, such as a simple gold band inscribed with a bible verse that the couple finds compelling. Others have carved detailed of Christian symbolism such as an olive branch, a dove, sets footprints, or various crosses. Many Christian rings can also be worn in honor of the individual’s faith in God and not just serve as a token of marriage.
The Joined by Christ ring is a special Christian wedding ring. While it honors God’s direction for simplicity in jewelry, the design is detailed enough to be unique and set itself apart from other bands. The Joined by Christ ring is carved with a cross, flanked by two circles. The cross represents the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit, while one circle acts as the woman, and the other, the man. The man and woman are connected by the cross, expressing the couple’s intent to emphasize God’s place in their marriage, their commitment, and the love they share.
The simple Joined by Christ ring symbolizes your commitment to your spouse as well as involvement of God in your marriage