Every year my sister, Kate has a Christmas Cup of Tea at her home for all her friends--and Kate has many friends. It is always a very special time. Every year I read the classic poem, A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg. It has become a tradition. I try to read a different poem but no one will hear of it. And every year the tears flow.
Each time Kate (standing on the right) has a couple of items. Here Pearl and Meadow are singing Te Harinui, the New Zealand Christmas carol. Kate specially asked them to sing this one. Dear family back in New Zealand and Australia, do you remember your own Christmas carol? It is a beautiful song telling how the story of Jesus coming to this earth came to the Maori people in New Zealand. The words Te Harinui in Maori mean, The big love, or much love. This is how they described God loving the world to send His beloved Son. I'll give you the words...
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 Harinui, glad tidings 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 Harinui, glad tidings of great joy.
The people gathered round upon a grassy ground,
And heard the preacher say, "I bring to you this day:"
Te Harinui, Te Harinui
Te Harinui, glad tidings 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 Harinui, glad tidings of great joy, glad tidings of great joy.
Pearl leading some Christmas carols. It was like a heavenly choir. Being Nashville, there were so many professional singers in our midst (excluding me) that the singing was glorious. Each year Kate asks the ladies to share about what Christmas means to them or of some special Christmas they have experienced. Each year new stories are shared and there is never a dry eye. Many confess that it is the most meaningful Christmas function they attend.
