TAIZE

   There's a place where a stranger may greet another
   Amiably like a long lost friend or a brother.
   In Taize, France kindred souls annually gather;
   Zealous Christ worshippers perceive in each other
   Ever bright the Loving Light of God, Our Father...

NATIVITY

                 Nativity, to God, is His Sacrifice!
                 Ask a gnostic and he'll reply in this wise:-
                 The Master has deigned to stoop to our level;
                  Is that a good reason for us to revel?
                 Vain would be all our Christmas merrymaking,
                  If His commandments we keep on forsaking.
                  To be led away from savagery and wrath,
                  You and I must take His steep but righteous path...

ADVERSITY

                    Act neither too gleeful nor too morose,
                    Do not appear too wise nor bellicose.
                    Veil all your worries with a semi-smile;
                    Envy not Santa with his pudgy flair,
                    Respect all sales clerks, crude rude gets vile bile.
                    Stop building palaces out of thin air...
                    It is time to face the nitty gritty:--
                    The nights are cold, the Christmas lights pretty,
                    Yuletide Greetings! (I'm running on empty...)

INDOLENCE

       If God sees fit to banish Satan from our Earth,
       No need for anyone to strive to prove his worth.
       Demons are per se also indestructible;
       Ousting them from here may be impracticable.
       Like Lucifer, an untested human soul may
       Elevate himself-- and then fall--to his dismay.
       Nonetheless, Man, the Explorer and Truth-Seeker
       Cannot live like a contented cow forever;
       Expect him to search for new worlds to discover!

TRANQUILLITY

       This is a way how you, if ill, your self may heal:--
       Regard your mind as part of our Lord's firmament;
       Ask God for help and He will answer your appeal.
       Notwithstanding doubt, His Healing Light will be sent...
       Quivering multicolored shafts will emanate
       Unbidden from a tiny pinpoint in your head!
       It is best for you to focus and concentrate;
       Leave other concerns if you can, but you must dare.
       Let nothing distract you, for those shafts must be led
       Into that part of your corpus that needs repair.
       The healing will be quick if at peace in your bed.
       You should thank God for you are ever in His care!

RIGHT OF WAY

      Right of way tips while on a mountain trail:--
      If you are male, first let the females pass;
      Give way to both crone and that pretty lass.
      Halt also for the farmhand with his bale,
      Then wish him good day as he passes by...
      On foggy mornings or evenings, watch out
      For blind curves!  If you don't know how to fly,
     Walk close to the mountainside.  When in doubt,
      Ask God for help so He will be your Guide.
      You will be safe with the Lord at your side.

WHETSTONE

              Withstanding Satan's siren snares may seem so hard;
               He never plays fair, he holds a wild Joker card...
               Enticed to try your luck? You'll get pies in the sky!
               Trials, tears, and tribulation are always nigh...
               Stick it out, though, and continue wrestling with him;
               The ultimate outcome for him will be most grim.
               Over and over he will bait, lure, and deceive;
               No way he could win, he's The Loser!  Do believe
               Each 'No' you swipe at him is a 'Win' you achieve!
         

HAPPINESS

            Happy is the farmer who plows his furrows straight,
            Also his carabao with cud to masticate.
            Post meridiem with the moonlight at half past nine--
            Plowing is like playing; now he goes home to dine...
            I should be like him--always with his world in tune;
           No need to work under a hot sun, for the moon
           Every so often does provide its gentler boon.
           So, strive on; make perfect your own labor of love;
           Shirk not from your work.  Reward comes from Heav'n above.
           
   

JESUS CHRIST

   Jesus, by his resurrection, demonstrated
   Extirpation of the soul divine is futile,
   So follow His example, His simple life style...
   Underdogs in this world will be vindicated;
   Serve as best you can, humbly, with a low profile.

   Cast  neither curses nor stones against the sinner;
   Hold no self-destructive anger within your heart.
   Rise up if you slip or fall, and make a new start...
   If you forgive your foes, you will be the winner;
   Stay that wrathful fist and sheath your avenging sword:-
   The Lord's Vengeance is His alone, you have His Word!