Our Grupo de Poesia Online is made up of people from across the globe who share a love of poetry. This December, enjoy their Featured Poetry of the Month by Alison from South Africa.
Christmas in black and white
I met you as a baby, through the pages of your Word
But saw you radically different, to the patterns of this world.
The world would really love you, if only they could see,
Beyond the storytellers, who sometimes blur the scenes.
I gaze upon your glory, the biggest heart I know.
You orchestrated grandeur, in a simple shed unknown.
You sent an open invite, to celebrate Good News.
Broke every rule on gender, and convention that some choose.
You rewrote a ‘’Stork Party’’, called everyone you know,
To celebrate a wonder, far greater than ‘’Ho, ho, ho’’.
You modelled what is ‘calling’, as a person, intertwined.
Silenced the opposition and gloriously mesmerized.
You demonstrated marriage, two people in a team.
Two separate individuals, bringing honour to your dream.
You are a living parent, active in the scene.
You orchestrated Magi, to take care of Jesus’ needs.
I’m awestruck by your splendour and what Christmas means to me.
I don’t know how we got here, distorting what it means.
I heard you through your pages, in black and white to me.
I’ll tell the truth in reverence, in honour to the King.
Alison van Tonder
Related poetry and resources
- Enhance Your Creativity through Poetry – an MAI webinar with Akolo Anthony James
- Join Grupo de Poesia Online with Akolo Anthony James and Joan Campbell
“We are Called” and “Closed Door” – Featured Poetry of the Month August 2025