Six days until.. . You guessed it! Christmas Day!
This also means six days until we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the gospel in New Zealand.I thank God for men like the Maori Chief Ruatara and Rev. Samuel Marsden who brought the message of hope in Jesus Christ to our shores two centuries ago, absolutely transforming life for all of New Zealand! Had Marsden not accepted Ruatara's invitation to share the gospel with his Maori people, our precious Aotearoa would be a very different place.
We have a beloved Christmas carol that commemorates this historical event, written by Willow Macky in 1957. It is thought to be New Zealand's first Christmas carol.
"Te Harinui" is translated as "Great Joy".
Te Harinui
Not on a snowy night
By star or candlelight
Nor by an angel band
There came to our dear land
Te Harinui
Te Harinui
Te Hari-nu-i
Glad tid-ings of great joy
But on a summer day
Within a quiet bay
The Maori people heard
The great and glorious word
Te Harinui
Te Harinui
Te Hari-nu-i
Glad tid-ings of great joy
The people gathered round
Upon the grassy ground
And heard the preacher say
I bring to you this day
Te Harinui
Te Harinui
Te Hari-nu-i
Glad tid-ings of great joy
Now in this blessed land United heart and hand
We praise the glorious birth
And sing to all the earth
Te Harinui
Te Harinui
Te Hari-nu-i
Glad tid-ings of great joy
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