Page 2 Pohutukawa Promise, Gifts are a Sign; Kauri, Flax and Rata trees
Hymn Texts
Note about hymn use and copyright:
You are welcome to copy these hymns for use in worship provided authorship is acknowledged. All the hymns are copyright and licenced with CCLI.com (Christian Copyright Licencing International). The selection available here will be added to from time to time. Tunes can be found in the following and other sources: WOV = With One Voice (NZ version of the Australian Hymnbook); MHB = Methodist Hymn Book; H&P = Hymns and Psalms; WH&V = With Heart and Voice. etc. You can find some new tunes in the Music section of the website.
You are welcome to copy these hymns for use in worship provided authorship is acknowledged. All the hymns are copyright and licenced with CCLI.com (Christian Copyright Licencing International). The selection available here will be added to from time to time. Tunes can be found in the following and other sources: WOV = With One Voice (NZ version of the Australian Hymnbook); MHB = Methodist Hymn Book; H&P = Hymns and Psalms; WH&V = With Heart and Voice. etc. You can find some new tunes in the Music section of the website.
Hymns for Advent and Christmas
Pohutukawa Promise
Blossoms red along the seashore,
bathed in green, and standing tall
is the great Pohutukawa,
gnarled its branches, red its fall.
Growing by our twisting coastline,
holding land against the sea,
in its blossom lies a promise,
of an advent yet to be.
Shaded by its ancient branches,
from the heat and glare of sun,
children play, and hide, and seek there;
seek the Christ Child yet to come!
Blossom falls, and then ‘tis Christmas,
red the path the Christ child comes,
can this Advent now take root here?
will this Christmas be the one?
Yes, it's time, to let this Christmas
be more than a passing whim,
time this Advent with its Christ Child,
nurtured us with life – within.
Native the Pohutukawa,
let the Christ Child native be!
planted in this soil, and growing,
sign of hope, for you, for me.
Words © Norman E. Brookes
CCLI ID 5952021
Tune: Pohutukawa Promisecomposer: Marjorie Spicer - see
Music 5.
Kauri, Flax & Rata Trees
Kauri, flax and rata trees,
ferns with koru, signs are these
of new life; the Christ has come,
under Southern Cross, warm sun.
Christ our Lord be born anew,
shape our lives in all we do.
In this South Pacific land
let your peace and justice stand.
Land of lakes, and rushing streams,
snow capped mountains, deep ravines,
teach us all Lord Christ, to be
stewards of this rich beauty.
Christ our Lord, be born anew…
In this highly favoured place,
make us clear signs of your grace,
break down walls of selfish greed,
justice bring to all in need.
Christ our Lord, be born anew…
Than shall Christmas here be found
deep in Aotearoa’s ground,
mountains, lakes and peoples too,
all will render praise to you.
Christ our Lord, be born anew…
Words © Norman E. Brookes
Kauri, flax and rata trees,
ferns with koru, signs are these
of new life; the Christ has come,
under Southern Cross, warm sun.
Christ our Lord be born anew,
shape our lives in all we do.
In this South Pacific land
let your peace and justice stand.
Land of lakes, and rushing streams,
snow capped mountains, deep ravines,
teach us all Lord Christ, to be
stewards of this rich beauty.
Christ our Lord, be born anew…
In this highly favoured place,
make us clear signs of your grace,
break down walls of selfish greed,
justice bring to all in need.
Christ our Lord, be born anew…
Than shall Christmas here be found
deep in Aotearoa’s ground,
mountains, lakes and peoples too,
all will render praise to you.
Christ our Lord, be born anew…
Words © Norman E. Brookes
CCLI ID 2395409
Tune: Oxford MHB 124 Gifts are a Sign
Giving for us is a true sign of Christmas,
gifts our response to the gift of God's Son,
Born in a manger, born that first Christmas,
Jesus, Immanuel, God with us one.
Wise were the men who brought gifts to his cradle,
guided by star, to his dwelling they came;
kneeling before him; they laid in his presence,
tokens of wealth, scent of grace, balm for pain.
Gold is a gift that can speak of abundance,
the rich abundance of life that God gives,
Our gift is gold when it's rich with commitment
tested, refined, through the lives that we live.
Frankincense too is a gift that is worthy;
it speaks of fragrance, of lives touched by grace,
Frankincense brings into all our relations
gentleness, kindness, and peace to each place.
Myrrh is a gift that's not welcomed, or looked for;
symbol of death, of love being embalmed,
Myrrh speaks of life in its sorrows and sadness,
but for the living its word is - be calmed!
These were the gifts that they brought to Christ's cradle,
What are the gifts you in faith now would bring?
Bring what you can, and give as you're able;
give him your life, the best gift for our king.
Giving for us is a true sign of Christmas,
gifts our response to the gift of God's Son,
Born in a manger, born that first Christmas,
Jesus, Immanuel, God with us one.
Wise were the men who brought gifts to his cradle,
guided by star, to his dwelling they came;
kneeling before him; they laid in his presence,
tokens of wealth, scent of grace, balm for pain.
Gold is a gift that can speak of abundance,
the rich abundance of life that God gives,
Our gift is gold when it's rich with commitment
tested, refined, through the lives that we live.
Frankincense too is a gift that is worthy;
it speaks of fragrance, of lives touched by grace,
Frankincense brings into all our relations
gentleness, kindness, and peace to each place.
Myrrh is a gift that's not welcomed, or looked for;
symbol of death, of love being embalmed,
Myrrh speaks of life in its sorrows and sadness,
but for the living its word is -
These were the gifts that they brought to Christ's cradle,
What are the gifts you in faith now would bring?
Bring what you can, and give as you're able;
give him your life, the best gift for our king.
Words: © Norman E Brookes
CCLI ID 5952014
Tune: Epiphany (J.F. Thrupp) H&P 700 (ii)
MHB 122 ii or Spean MHB 122