These vaulted ceilings—
towered expanse of
history
hope
heaviness, all meant to
draw our eyes upward
to Heaven
to here
to how
within these walls, He is
here to greet those
who sin
who see
who seek, and even those unaware
of their need. There is more of
His strength
His steadfastness
His sorrow
than we could ever hope
to understand its fullness. How are we
so known
so loved
so chosen by the Holy One called
Most High? Until we remember Him
as a babe
as Emmanuel
as flesh dwelling among us—how He inserted himself
into the pain and sorrow we know
all too well
all too much
all too long, and see Him as transcendent and
above, among and yet within
these cathedral walls—
our temperamental hearts
this world we walk can know
Him as Lord and Savior, as hope.

This rose window of patterned glass displays
above the nativity that awaits
the coming King, born as a babe—
Hope incarnate and here to save.