In my senior year of high school, my friends and I became “wedding crashers.” Although it is not something I am now proud of, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds.
On most Saturday nights, a nearby hall hosted large weddings—often with four or five hundred guests. Sometimes we knew the bride or groom, or a younger sibling unofficially invited us. It seemed acceptable to attend the wedding dance as long as we were dressed appropriately in a suit. A tiny artificial flower was pinned to our lapel by an usher when we arrived, indicating we had a right to be there and had access to food and refreshments. Those dressed inappropriately were refused admittance.
Crashing wedding celebrations was a bold youthful action. God’s action in sending His only Son Jesus into a cold unwelcome world was far bolder. By His precious blood shed on Calvary’s cross, we are washed, sanctified, and dressed in His righteousness. This Advent we look to His bold death on the cross by which we are welcomed by Christ our bridegroom. God asks us boldly to proclaim His love in Christ Jesus. He even dresses us acceptably to do so.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be more bold in inviting others to the great wedding feast You have prepared for us all. Amen.
My Bold Action for Today: Next time there is a dinner event at my church, I will invite a friend who does not yet know of the love of Jesus to go with me.
Rev. Bryan Rosnau