Under the wedding canopy, a new groom offers his life.

He lays it down as the scriptures say, all for the bride he adorns in splendid delight.

In leaving his eternal home, this groom takes a great risk.

A risk upon one woman; and upon all of us; asking to be a gift.

In thirty short years, he lives a quiet life in our company.

Then comes three astounding years, from which a great announcement springs.

He sends his best man; a wedding is about to begin.

To the bride’s house John goes, baptizing a wounded world ready for mend.

Misty ground and earthly dust;

In the wilderness he fashioned us.

The first groom is made as if with clay in the beginning.

From the wilderness this groom goes, into Galilee about a kingdom he is singing.

This groom gathers his groomsmen by his side, twelve apostles and all.

Street by street, town by town, door by door; their lantern lights glisten and call.

In royal attire, crown and robe, this groom marches in procession to a garden.

Alone he offers his life, making vows, drinking wine, granting pardon.

Trusting in his power to lay down and take up, this groom resurrects victorious.

Wounded yet living, to life comes his bride, her radiance is glorious.

Lifted up, he carries her to the great destiny to which her heart aspires.

Words of love he speaks to her, his inner heart pierced but afire.

To Judah and Israel, to Gentiles and beyond; the wedding horn rings.

The Church cries out, the eternal wedding feast has begun, come meet your King.

Under the wedding canopy, the New Adam offered his life.

Into the wedding feast we enter, by the soft candle glow of our trimmed lantern light.

Then the door shuts. In the Father’s house he has prepared a place to stay;

To celebrate and sing out, seventy times seven, for endless eternal days.