1.
The Color of Redemption
I can’t bear to think
of His beautiful dark skin
ripped down to muscle.
2.
Lapis Lazuli
More precious than gold,
this deep blue embodies the
Mother of Jesus.
3.
Holy Reflection
Only light as pure
as reflects from God’s own Son
can mirror His love.
© Marie Elena Good 2026
At Christmastime, reflecting on our God,
I see a rich and sumptuous show of grace.
A story so enthralling bids me laud
A baby boy, born in a lowly place.
God simply breathed, and life then came to be.
He spoke-spilled stars that move at His command.
He fashioned sand and man, and shell and sea,
This God who values meek, as well as grand.
So when it came to paying debt of sin,
He chose to do the grandest thing of all
In such a way that awes me deep within:
Majestic use of unforeseen, and small.
A vulnerable newborn was His means,
Born of a humble woman in her teens.
© Marie Elena Good, 2020
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” ~ Isaiah 7:14
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” ~ Matthew 1:18-23
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~ Matthew 1:21
And who would take my word, this pregnant teen,
Who claimed an angel visited my room,
To tell me God Himself had set the scene
To place His Very Son inside my womb?
And how could I say anything but “Yes,
Be done to me according to Your word.”
And how could I be anything but blessed,
When first The Living Word within me stirred.
And how was I to know that God’s own Son
Would start His life inside a feeding trough,
And end on crucifix (would anyone?),
Exploited, battered, bartered, “crowned,” and scoffed.
And when I think my womb shared blood with God,
Who gave me life? I’m humbled, blessed, and awed.
© Marie Elena Good, 2017
Public domain photo
Expectant couple travels far and fierce.|
She, full with child, atop a gentle ass.
He, worried as her sighs begin to pierce,
And finding there’s no room in inns they pass.
He, with no proper room to birth her child,
Secures a proffered stable to take rest.
The Babe comes quickly, there amidst the wild.
He frees her Son, and lays Him at her breast.
The Newborn listens to the bleating sheep.
The feeding trough He lies in smells of hay.
His weary mother tries to get some sleep,
Through rolling sounds of cry and bleat and bray.
Great throngs of angels revel in this day –
In lowly trough, there lies The Truth. The Way.
© Marie Elena Good, 2017
Nativity by Gertrude Kasebier c 1901
Following the angel’s appearance months ago,
A young woman – mystified, yet willing –
Subjected herself to ridicule
While readying for the baby whose presence
Began making itself evident.
Then came the night
On the heels of a long and arduous journey
In humbleness of setting and witness.
How prepared was the young woman’s weary body
And emotion-laden heart
For the miracle of birth,
Let alone this Miracle of Birth – this holy night
That culminates in pulling her newborn son to her breast,
Offering life-giving milk
To the very One who created life,
And came to offer it eternal.
What God is this who would choose this humble,
Implausible means
Out of love for a sinner?
My God.
My God…
© 2013, Marie Elena Good
“Mary and Baby Jesus” used with permission of artist. See Jean Keaton Inspired Art … lovely cards and frame-able art available here: http://www.jeankeatonart.com/store/greeting-cards/mary-and-baby-jesus-greeting-card/.
“So be it done to me as you have said.”
Yet, as the words released from my own tongue,
I did not understand the path I’d tread,
Nor anguish God would ask of one so young.
The visit of that night became surreal,
As mundane daily chores consumed my life.
I questioned, did I dream the whole ordeal?
For I was just a mother and a wife.
Then, jolted from this lulled complacency,
I watched in horror as they took my son
To torture him, and nail him to a tree,
And wailed myself when he cried, “It is done.”
I gazed upon the empty cross, and tomb,
In awe – I’d cradled God within my womb.
© Marie Elena Good
pictured words 