.

You are not my son;

I have not known her;

Our love was chaste, till

All this came down.

.

My heart is broken,

Our dreams are over.

For surely nothing 

Can make this pure.

.

For all my grief, though,

I cannot blame her,

As something trusting 

Is in her eyes.

.

A quiet parting 

For godly justice 

Is all my heart knows 

To hope to do.

.

A dreadful vision,

A mighty message—

This is God’s doing?

You are His Son?

.

I will obey Him

And be her husband,

Stand as Your father 

In holy fear.

.

“Hear, O Israel

Your God is one God”;

But in this marriage 

There shall be three?

.

I cannot see, Lord

All that goes on here;

It is enough, though:

I hear Your Word.

.

You are Messiah!

Your Name is Jesus!

I know You came, Lord

To set us free.

.

To find a people 

Alone in darkness 

Betrothed to You, Lord,

Yet lost in sin.

.

You are our Husband,

And scorning our shame 

You give us Your Name 

And bring us home.

.

In this conviction 

We will adore You;

For I am Your son

And You are mine.

.

Selah

.

Jeremy Vogan, Advent 2023

Photo Credit: Michael Hoard, licensing applied for