Christian Sand Ceremony I have written with help from other examples. Feel free to modify yourselves.
(Bride/Groom) and (Groom/Bride) will now come together for the Mixing of the Sands. First, some sand symbolizing Jesus Christ as the source of all love and all that is good. (Bride/Groom) and (Groom/Bride) both have sands that symbolize their individual lives and selves. As they pour their sands in together, it shows how their lives- once separate- are now becoming intertwined as one. Just as it would be impossible to separate these sands once poured, their union shall make them inseparable as well. The children are a part of this mix. Marriage joins families as well as individuals. May the beauty of this vase be a reminder of how beautiful a family can be with God as the Source of Love.
Christian Sand Ceremony
From http://apps.facebook.com/wedsnap_wedding/forums/topic/28684/christian-unity-sand-ceremony/ :
Officiant: Before us sits a container to symbolize the bonding of this union sealed with the love and blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The white sand symbolizes the purity of a marriage covenant at which Christ Jesus is the center. The sands the couple holds represent their individual selves. As they pour these sands together and mix them, they symbolize the eternal bond that will hold them and their marriage together.
Officiant: (Bride/Groom) and (Groom/Bride) will now come together for the Mixing of the Sands. Just as Jesus Christ is the Lord of their lives and the Rock of their Salvation, He will now be the solid foundation that holds their marriage firm. This is symbolized by the white sand in the bottom of the bottle. (Bride/Groom) and (Groom/Bride) both have sands that symbolize their individual lives and selves. As they pour their sands in together, it shows how their lives- once separate- are now becoming intertwined as one. Just as it would be impossible to separate these sands once poured, their union shall make them inseparable as well. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Ceremony Joining Children or Families
Officiant: Just as we have now bound (Bride/Groom) and (Groom/Bride) to one another, we will now celebrate the unification of (other family/child/children) into this covenant. The couple will first pour their sands into the vase, showing that their marriage is the foundation of this family. Their sands mix together and symbolize their bond of love and respect that can never be separated. As (family member/child/children) now add their sands, we are reminded that though we are all different people, it is our individuality which adds a unique color to the tapestry of the family. Like the sands poured before it, so these sands will also mix and be unable to be separated.
Officiant: Now we will celebrate the creation of a family. The (three/four/etc.) vials of sand here represent (Bride/Groom), (Groom/Bride), and (child/children/family members). As each pours in the sands, they show how the individual colors create a beautiful masterpiece of love and mutual respect. Just as the sands are forever intermixed, so are the lives of the people being celebrated today. As we join this couple in marriage, we are also reminded of the significant role that (child/children/family members) play in this marriage. Today, a new unified life is shared within this family.
Christian Sand Ceremony
from http://www.ohioweddingministries.org/christiansandceremony.htm
"______and ______, you have just sealed your relationship by giving and receiving of rings and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives.
You are committing here today to share the rest of your lives with one another. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these three individual containers of sand into a fourth one. One, representing you, ______: and all that you were, are, and will be. One, representing you, ______: and all that you were, are, and will be. The third one represents Christ, all that He is and will forever be. As these three containers of sand are poured into the fourth container, the individual containers of sand continue to exist, but a fourth entity is also created; one which did not exist before but will last forever.
(Minister pours the Christ layer) This layer represents Christ who is and always will be the foundation of you both as individuals.
Groom, pour some of your sand which will represent you as an individual.
Bride, pour some of your sand which will represent you as an individual.
(Minister pours more of the Christ layer) This layer represents Christ as the foundation of your marriage.
Bride and Groom, now pour your remaining sand into the container together to represent the joining of your two individual lives into this union of marriage. Just as the individual grains of sand can never again be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so your marriage will be."
Christian Sand Ceremony
http://goodvibrationsdj.com/sand-ceremony.html
Each of the smaller vases contains a different color of sand, representing each of their lives to this moment. They are two distinct and separate containers, each capable of going their separate ways. To bring bliss and happiness to their home there must be the merging of these two into one. This is what God meant when He said: 'On this account, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be one flesh.' From now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their individual selves. Their plans shall be mutual, their joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. As they each take their sand and together pour them into the center vase, the small vases will be emptied, thus letting the center vase symbolize the union of our lives into one flesh. As this sand cannot be divided, neither shall their lives be divided. May the presence of this vase in their home from this day forward be a witness of their unity in Christ.