TWELVE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS

On the lst Day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me
Not a partridge---but Salvation full and free.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas Jesus gave to me
---The Dove of the Holy Spirit cheerfully.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas Jesus gave to me
---Trinity Peace in my heart to last eternally

On the 4th Day of Christmas--not 4 birds calling
---But love for the lost from Heaven falling.

O)n the 5th Day of Christmas, He gave golden rings
---True Joy encircling my soul the Savior brings.

On the 6th Day of Christmas--not 6 geese a-laying
But power from above to keep me from a-straying.

On the 7th Day of Christmas--no 7 swimming swans
---but living Spring Water--for everyone.

On the 8th Day of Christmas no milking maids appeared
But God's milk of kindness washed away all my tears.

On the 9th Day of Christmas the Savior gave to me
---Nine great gifts of the Holy Spirit, rich and free.

On the 10th Day of Christmas the story never grows old
---God promised me Heaven's streets of purest gold.

On the llthe Day of Christ yes there were pipers prancing
Singing praise To God and 'round His throne room dancing.

On the 12th Day of Christmas Heaven's Drummers did drum
---In tribute rhythm to our Christmas King
---Hallelujah---Salvation is now won!
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A TEXAS NATIVITY

It's a Lone Star night in Texas
All is calm and clear and bright;
The Angels have ceased singing--
Their Sweet song of Silent Night.

Things are different here in Texas
Had the Christ child been born here;
All Six Flags would be a-flyin'
----Announcing His Christmas cheer.

Of course Texas barns are a-plenty
There are many for Mary to use;
Filled with steers and armadillos
Underneath skies of azure blue.

And the Magi would find it easy
To get to this Texas manger fast;
We have so many wise-guys in Texas
Their wisdom would forever last.

We could line the crib with yellow roses
Framing it with Ten Gallon Hats too-----
Our magnificent Mockingbirds in Pecan trees
Can croon "White Christmas" til the're blue.

In Texas we grow bluebonnets--not pointsettias
There's just one problem that I can see----
Since the Bluebonnets just bloom in April--
We'd have to postpone Christmas to Spring.

So you see A true Texas Nativity----
Could financially help our economy too;
'Cuz we'd keep our oil wells a-pumping
All the Christmas season through.

So come enjoy some holy jalapenos
Decorate a Christmas cactus or two;
Come celebrate a Lone Star Christmas
----Texas is still waiting here for you!

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER HONORING NATIVE AMERICANS

Thank you Father for Mother Earth
For emerald trees so slim and tall---
For the daily breath you bring to life
---Great Father of us all.
Thank you for the world's brotherhood
Of all great races, colors and creeds;
For divinely ordered diversity---
---Is what our whole world needs.
Thank you for azure lakes and streams
You've sprinkled along earth's sod--
For this earth is but the frozen echo
---Of your awesome voice, O God.
For lightning and deep rolling thunder
For swift songbirds upon the wing;
For stars at night to shine so bright
---Thank you great Father for everything.
Thank you for rambling fields and forests
For the daily strength to carry on---
Thank you Father this Thanksgiving Day
For making all mankind----one.
2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

A WORLD SERIES PRAYER FOR THE TEXAS RANGERS

God Bless the Baseball Texas Rangers
God Bless them tonight for sure;
It's a World Series game of all games
For this week 40 years we've endured.
There shouldn't be any problem(smile)
We've already put the Yankees on the run;
Here in the Bible Belt we believe in prayer
So GO TEXAS RANGERS---follow the sun!

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets

AUTUMN'S MIDAS TOUCH

Golden apples ripening on trees
Yellow pumpkins turning gold---
Autumn has her own Midas Touch
That never ever shall grow old.

Golden rays of sunshine spread
Stacks of corn husks turning gold;
Autumn has her Golden Midas Touch
That never ever shall grow old.

Member Academy of American Poets

HAUNTED BY GOD(Psalms 25:12)

Lord, I pray please let me be Divinely Haunted daily by you--- Let me abide in your omni-presence In all I humanly say and do. In You, I live, and love and move In You I have my being too---- Let me live in delightful holiness Being divinely surrounded by You. Let me thrive in your consciousness Barricaded against every evil enemy No cares---no stress--no worries--- As I relish being Haunted by Thee. 2011 by DRR

A CALL TO AMERICAN UNITY(911Revisited)

Tragedy can come to all of us
As we this earth daily trod;
Tragic galvanizing moments unite us
They bring us closer to God.

Life can change in the blink of an eye
Our firm faith is formed in the fire;
We bond more together in the heat
Holding on through the muck and mire.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away
This Job patiently learned;
Yet in all of this Job fainted not
Though his possessions were all burned.

God is still God in the darkest of times
We must all unite our endeavors;
Life can change in the wink of an eye
But the eternal Love of God lasts forever.

So let's renew our compassion for others
Let's renew our fight for what's right;
We are still the United States of America
Let's renew our great need to Unite.

2011 by Douglas Raymond Rose
Member Academy of American Poets