...And Everyone Rises

For Brian and Tonya.  Composed at their rehearsal dinner a little over a year ago.

The groom is at attention,
The groomsmen stand arrayed,
The bridesmaids one by one have come inside.
The music changes tempo,
A silence fills the room,
And through the door, exultant, comes the bride,
                          ...and everyone rises.

The wait at last is ended!
The gospel through all lands
And to all tribes and tongues has finally flown.
A trumpet splits the heavens!
A shout rebounds from earth!
Our Lord at last descends to claim His own,
                          ...and everyone rises.

The bridegroom, like our Savior,
Protects and leads his bride;
He gives his life for her and her alone.
The bride reflects God’s people,
His spotless, holy church,
Which lives in glad submission to her Own.

So Tonya, love your husband,
And Brian, love your wife,
And live for Christ: lay down your earthly lives.
In His strength, serve each other,
With patience, grace, and hope,
‘Till death you part, or ‘till our Lord arrives,
                          ...and everyone rises.