Love those Kiwis . . . and Christmas

Many members of our Church's congregation here in Sydney are from the south Pacific islands and New Zealand. They are wonderful, warm-hearted people and we've enjoyed becoming acquainted with them and learning a bit about their culture.

If you aren't accustomed to the various accents from Commonwealth countries, you may not be able to distinguish between them--they may all just sound "British". The Kiwi accent is quite distinctive--and pretty funny. They add "is" to the end of statements, but pronounce it "az". As in, "I'm thirsty az". There is a Youtube video that some Aussies produced making a bit of fun. We got quite a kick out of it too. Warning: there is one curse word. You may not even notice it because of the accent, but this serves as a disclaimer.





In what couldn't be less relevant to the video above, this next clip is of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing "Angels from the Realms of Glory" with the Norwegian crossover soprano Sissel. They performed together at the Choir's 2006 Christmas Concert in Salt Lake City. It is to the tune "Gloria" (or "Iris", the same tune "Angels we have Heard on High" is usually sung to). It was written in 1816.

I find the lyrics to be quite powerful. They are more prescriptive than descriptive like in "Angels We Have Heard on High". Midway through, the lyrics shift focus from the humility of Christ's birth to the triumph of His return. It captures the longing of the saints for that event. As a Mormon and a Christian, I appreciate the reference to the Temple. It's interesting that it is even there--the absence of the temple and temple worship is conspicuous in Western Christianity. Coupled with the power of the full Choir and orchestra, a great arrangement, and then add a voice like that of Sissel's, and it is, in my opinion, very moving. My new favorite Christmas hymn.



Here are the lyrics used in this version:

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:

Though an infant now we view him,
He shall fill His Fathers throne,
Gather all the nations to him,
Every knee shall then bow down.