NC-17

MAN: "A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed."

WOMAN: "Let my beloved come to his garden, and eat its choicest fruits."

(Song of Solomon 4:12, 16)

When you think about erotic books, the Bible does not usually come to mind.  In fact, Church (and church people) in general isn't (aren't) always that open to talk about sex & sexuality.  Then you come to the SONG OF SOLOMON (aka "Song of Songs") in the Old Testament.  And it kinda stops you cold in your tracks.

If you're unfamiliar with this short book of poetry, it's a love story between a man & woman.  They flatter each other.  They pour out their feelings.  They talk about their attraction & excitement for each other.  And they don't "beat around the bush" either!

In Jewish culture (or at least in the Hebrew culture of the Bible), after the wedding "ceremony," the entire wedding party would walk the couple back to the groom's home - into his "wedding chamber" - and wait outside while the couple consummated their marriage.  It was only after they made love together that they were considered to be "officially married."  And then the party would start with all of the guests outside!

It's too bad the church has lost its voice when it comes to celebrating sexuality.  "Don't do it!" is the usual phrase connected to Church & sex.  But that doesn't honor God's gift of sexuality.  We were created to love one another - in a committed, loving marriage, that's all.

In the meantime... keep those "gardens locked," so when it's finally time to enjoy one another completely, the "choicest fruits" will still be there for one's spouse.  Because then you've got a lifetime of playing in the gardens of love!