Coptic icon of the Nativity

Glory Comes

when those cosmic particles

spun in frenzy, imploding

chaotic trails in nuclear circles;

while planets formed, sudden order exploding ...

were we there?

when that primordial wind

calmed waters, separating

volcanic sea chimneys from firm primal land

and life lifted up, with God's hand creating ...

were we there?

when Moses climbed Mt. Sinai's

rock face, precipitously

clinging to the Voice of Life at summit,

encountering WHO IS mysteriously ...

were we there?

when our saucer galaxy's

showed it generated

before humanity's reality;  

Being formed being and love penetrated ...

were we there?

when that night Mary's labor

started in hidden darkness--

animals bundled in hay first to meet

One whose hand held time, primed motion, and loves ...

were we there?

there we were: when glory birthed,

(Incredible Force thundered

glowing light on the startled face of Moses;

Son of God robed on Mount Horeb in brilliant light

revealed momentarily our Transfigured Christ) ...

but He came bundled in swaddling cloths,

born naked from a woman's womb,

born vulnerable in Adam's race,

born with brightness shining in Heaven's place,

born in Bethlehem ... when Glory came, to us!

Virginia  M. Kimball, Christmas 2007