Juxtaposition: The Alpha and the Omega

Archangel Gabriel, standing in the presence of God,
assuring Zacharias and Mary, in heaven’s glow

The Christ child  lying in the manger swaddled against the cold
Mary and Joseph  exhausted from heavenly and earthly claims

No time to rest, soon to flee from state-sponsored terrorism
and the tyranny of King Herod fearing the news of this innocent’s birth

Unfolding, the theophany of the Cosmic Christ, both human and divine,
witnessing in community birth, baptism, transfiguration, ministry

Soon, the long shadows of the oppressor  Empire, portend the coming
death sentence and state crucifixion of this nonviolent revolutionary

This one who in violent death and suffering on the cross, was buried,
descended into hell, rose again, and on the third day resurrected 

Ascending, putting the last enemy death, under foot,
“the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”

Reigning fire of the Spirit down upon all humankind
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age”

The Cosmic Christ, come down to us that we may know eternal love
who came, who comes now in our midst, and who comes again

The Parousia, the Omega Point, the Christ Consciousness
a great spiraling, transcending and including, unifying in Christ eternal 

Beloveds, God does not want us to suffer and is always with us in our suffering,
healing through our earthly wounds, know thine own true self, authentically belonging

Herb Stone
here & now working poetry
December 12, 2019

*Biblical scripture in quotes above