Christmas

["Joan and Roy Sinclair" <badger.s@xtra.co.nz>]

Graeme aroused interest in the Pohutukawa Tree so here is the hymn that is
being sung throughout New Zealand to-night.
Tune   " 'Twas in Bethlehem that the Christ had birth".  [HW Hitchcock]

'Twas in Bethlehem that the Christ had birth,
that the shepherds learned of God's gift to earth;
There in rosy dawn angels sang His worth:
And the glory shone all bright around;
heav'nly glory shone around.

Full three thousand leagues from the manger bed,
a New Zealand tree decked itself in red.
"Tis to honour Him I do this," it said;
And the glory shone all bright around;
crimson glory shone around.

Called Pohutukawa - its Maori name,
still at ev'ry Christmas it does the same:
So that cliff and headland are all aflame:
And the glory shone all bright around,
crimson glory shines around.

Thus New Zealand knows when it's Christmastide
by the beauty splashed o'er the country-side.
May Pohutukawa long flourish wide,
and the glory shine all bright around;
crimson glory shine around.

 To John and all subscribers to the list  Joan and I wish all a Christmas
filled with joy and forgiveness,
                            Roy and Joan Sinclair
                                     Dunedin
                                          New Zealand

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