I really think a big part of peoples' incomprehension nowadays stems from the fact that we live in a ceremonially threadbare culture. We have never seen the coronation of a Byzantine Emperor or even the Queen of England; we have no idea the solemnities which used to accompany even the opening day of a secular Parliament.
The only time we see huge floral displays is at the Rose Bowl Parade (DO click on this)or similar pageants or civic fiestas accompanied by floats and other conspicuous outpourings of ornamental pageantry.
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Floral display on a sports banquet salad bar --- of all things.
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About a billion examples of Wedding floral decoration and Wedding Photography for the Wealthy and Ostentatious
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Some kind of theatrical stage design
Culturally, in the US, we give our most lavish honors to celebrities, sports gods, EUrocrats, billionaires, the sexy and status-y --- and not to those whom God honors.
In contrast, God likes to lift up the lowly ("The Mighty One has done great things for me").
I don't particularly like ostentation in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. I do get a kick out of garlanding the saints - the martyrs - the meek - the nobodies of this world who are so cherished that even their blood is precious to Him.
Icon of the Coptic Christian New Martyrs of Libya
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Our honors to the martyrs and saints and especially Mary, anticipate, in a tiny, tiny way, the glories God has prepared for His humble servants and handmaids. And why would He skimp on anything, for those with whom He has redeemed by His Own Blood and made "partakers of the Divine nature"?
That's 2 Peter 1:4. Our little processions and icons and honors --- huh ---the feeblest, palest anticipation of the honors of Heaven!
