Angels...

Day #11

A-Poem-a-Day Until Christmas

Image credit: beliefnet.com

THE WINGED ONES

There’s a sudden swirl

of fragrance and smoke

as Zacharias tends

the temple altar of incense

Lo! A resplendent angel

appears before his eyes—

It is Gabriel

who stands in the presence of God

The winged one startles the old priest

by proclaiming—

Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son…

He will be the forerunner of Messiah

Astonished at the announcement

(for his wife is advanced in years)

Zacharias dares question

God’s messenger

and is duly struck dumb—

and will not utter another word

until the Heavenly proclamation

comes to pass

As grey-haired Elizabeth blossoms

with approaching motherhood

Gabriel alights again

all wings and gleam and glory

in a visit to Mary, a Nazarene maiden

He foretells that she, too, will be with child—

chosen to be the virgin mother

of the Holy Son of God—

Breathless, Mary runs

to Joseph, her betrothed

eager to tell of the angelic visitation

and Gabriel’s marvelous word to her

but it is too much for him to comprehend—

Feeling deceived and disheartened

he considers ending their engagement

until one night, while tossing in sleep

an angel of the Lord appears in a dream

to assure him

Mary is indeed pure and righteous—

miraculously overshadowed

by the Holy Spirit of God

so Joseph marries her

and together they await the coming

of the Savior of the World

and when that wondrous event occurs

a multitude of angels fill the Heavenlies

with most glorious splendors

The Bethlehem night becomes brilliant

startling lowly shepherds

reclining in fields with their flocks

and all the beautiful celestial beings

with wings and robes and gladness

proclaim good news of great joy

for all people:

Glory to God in the Highest—

Jesus, the Messiah, is born!

Maude Carolan Pych

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