Mentioned on more than one occasion on these pages, our church has a wine tasting group. Our practicing mantra is a group for fun and fellowship with wine as vehicle. I know keep saying this, but I need to write a post about this group because others may want to try it.
One part of the event is a devotional, something that I had to do at the last event. I search the net and put together the following words. (Before starting, I asked participants to have some wine in their glass for a toast.)
Our wine, which art in heaven, hallowed by thy legs.
They will be drunk, I will be drunk, at home, as in thy cellar.
Give us this day, our daily glass, and forgive us our spillage, as we forgive those who spill against us.
And lead us not to incarceration, but deliver us from hangovers.
For thine is the Chardonnay, the Merlot and the Cabernet. Forever and ever. Amen. [Posted 8th August 2011 by Lynfred Winery (Illinois)]
Wine is a symbolism of life.
- The twisted vines represent the strength we need in life
- The roots anchor to the soil that is the source of stability and nourishment
- The sun represents the power source carrying hopes of yielding good fruit
- The grapes represent our childhood, our immaturity
- Fermentation represents our challenges and struggles
- Barrels carry our hope
- The cup is the vessel we can hold in our hands for hope
- The wine is the final product of the new life
- The full cup of wine is an appreciation of the joys we hold
- The toast is for the good in life
Wine is something we share.
- Wine brings people together as it does here, at a wedding, and at the altar
- Wine’s sweetness represents the joy of the occasion, the gladness in our heart, the mask of the bitterness in life
- Wine is a symbol of friendship and love
Wine is symbolic with faith.
- For Jews, red wine represents the blood on the door of the houses that protected them from the Angel of Death before the Exodus
- For Christians, wine represents the blood of Christ
- Jesus is the new wine – the good wine He provided at Cana
- Wine is to bread as faith is to a full life
- Filling the cup to the brim with wine represents the completeness that one’s commitment of life needs to be
- Wine is symbolic of life
So tonight, as we share the cup of wine, we undertake the sharing of all that the future may bring.
Blessed art Though, Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. (a Jewish wine prayer)
And let us raise our glass to toast the spirit of wine.
Raising a glass of shiraz to you, Frank!
LikeLike
Weebles,
And cheers it is … and I will settle on the pinot noir in my glass at the moment. 🙂 (BTW – I like shiraz and syrah.) Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
a very informative post Frank!
LikeLike
Thank you Mimo. 🙂
LikeLike
I’ll drink to that! Great words Frank. And I always remember that the first miracle Jesus ever publicly performed was turning water into wine at the wedding xx
LikeLike
Spiced,
Absolutely … and feel free to share this with your wine-drinking friends. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Hi,
As you know I don’t drink wine, but I did like the way the wine prayer was written very clever I thought, the winery I gather would have that displayed where everyone can see it, I feel it would bring smiles to customers faces, they may even buy more. 😀
LikeLike
Mags,
I would hope the winery display that prayer as it is very clever. But I’m not sure because I found it online, and have never been to the winery. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
loved the toast….didnt know grapes are symbol of immaturity..wow
LikeLike
Soma,
Glad you enjoyed this. A grapes immaturity is a matter of perspective. From a wine point of view, it’ immaturity …. from the perspective of a fruit to enjoy, it’s maturity. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Hic!
LikeLike
Ginger,
Now this comment made me laugh. Thanks.
LikeLike
Yippee!
LikeLike
Fascinating post. I wonder why some Christians, like my mom, are teetotal. 😉
LikeLike
Paradise,
Now there’ an interesting point, but although Jesus’ first miracle was water into wine at the wedding in Cana, others see wine as a satanic evil. Oh well … for whatever reason. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I think it was due to the teaching against it in her first church. Can’t change her now, and she’s happy. 😉
LikeLike
A lot to be said about happiness. 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful to enjoy your faith and your wine with a sense of humor.
Rock on, frank!
LikeLike
Guapo,
Hooray … you words see it for what it is! Thanks for spotting it!!! … and for commenting.
LikeLike
Funny opening poem, for sure! But the remainder of what you’ve shared with us is really lovely. I’ve never read anything quite like it, but I experience some of it with other good friends. A lot of excellent reflection and soul-searching can open up over a good bottle of wine. I have good friends coming this weekend…there will be many wine moments! I will be thinking of your post, too! D
LikeLike
Debra,
Glad you liked this … heck, print it and share with the girls this weekend. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
I hate that I’m allergic to wine…and beer …and liquor…LOL. (Allergic) Seems like you go to an awesome church. I belong to a pretty awesome church near me as well. Glad to meet a fellow Christian =D
LikeLike
Squishy,
We do attend an awesome church. My wife and I play in our handbell choir, which for a church choir, does a pretty good job. If you like handbell music, see Categories > Handbells in the sidebar. BTW – my wife developed an allergy regarding alcohol, but strangely, she takes Zantec which remarkably works for her. Oh well … thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I dont drink wine but cranberry juice can make up for the toast too! great post Frank!
LikeLike
Eva,
Joining in a toast with cranberry juice is very acceptable and appreciated. Cheers to you! Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Enjoying a glass (who am I kidding — more like a few glasses) of wine with friends is one of the great joys of life. This post is great, too!
LikeLike
Lame,
Let’s toast to wine glasses being refillable! Feel free to share the toast with friends.
Speaking of refillable glasses, here’s something that will keep you cool. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/on-a-joyous-zest/ Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I want to copy your bullet points and add them to my bar as a pretty poster in a frame! My bar is mostly a wine bar! We love wine in my house and do a monthly wine search of some of our local stores including one of my favorites, World Market which always has new wines from around the world for a great prices. One of our favorite things to do is find new ones for under $15.
I loved this!
LikeLike
Valentine,
Glad you enjoy this, so I say make a copy for your wine bar!
World Market is still in your area? Wow … we lost both of ours, so I figured they went by the way of Montgomery Ward. Meanwhile, it seems you and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to a willingness to try new wines!!!! Cheers! … oh, red for me please. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
My sister has a vineyard and winery in southern Australia and my son is a winemaker, so……drink up!
LikeLike
Debra,
Oh my … I want to visit and get the VIP tasting! Cheers! Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
This is beautiful written piece about wine… I love wine. Red one especially… Thank you dear Frank, have a nice weekend, love, nia
LikeLike
Nia,
I especially appreciate comments about this post from wine lovers because they know the meaning of this. Many thanks for the kind words and for visiting.
LikeLike
Good post Frank! I heard a guy give a quick toast where he explained that wine uses all the senses-taste, hearing (the sound of the cork and the pouring), sight, the feel of the glass in your hand as you swirl and of course smell…a pretty good go-to if you’ve got nothing better!
LikeLike
Les,
Now that is a good suggestion … maybe I’ll have to work on my version. Thanks for the idea … and for commenting.
LikeLike
What a blessing wine is. Cheers to you, Frank.
LikeLike
Cuttlefish,
Thank you. It was fun putting it together. Cheer! and thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on lesliebxlewise.
LikeLike
Pingback: Flashbacks: On Religion | A Frank Angle
Frank, I drink to this …. a very interesting angle and view on sprite of wine.
Still wine is one thing I could be without .. if so needed. Excellent post and your job is outstanding. Love it.
LikeLike