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Advent 2023 week 1: Hope

Dec. 1, 2023

The Advent season is upon us and traditionally many churches will light a blue or purple candle to symbolize the faith elements of hope, peace, joy, and love. This school year’s Advent devotional series begins on December 1, 2023, and will end on Christmas Eve. Today’s devotional points towards the endless hope that we have in the Christ child, Jesus, and how God’s people throughout the generations before our Savior’s birth looked for nā hōʻailona of the coming Messiah. Now, that hope is for each of us, our families and the generations to come. During this Christmas season let us learn to cultivate a cadence of reflective thought as we respond to God’s perfect gift e Iesū Kristo who brings us hope, peace, joy and love unending.

Ka Paukū Hikina no ka Baibala Hemolele
“No ka mea, ua hānau ʻia mai, he keiki no kākou, no kākou i hāʻawi ʻia mai ai, he keiki kāne, ma luna o kona poʻohiwi ke aupuni; a e kapa ʻia kona inoa, ʻo Kupaianaha, ʻo Kākāʻōlelo, ʻo Keakuamana, ʻo Kamakuamauloa, ʻo Kealiʻiokamalu.” – Isaia 9:6    

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

Ka Manaʻolana o Iesū – Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard
Oh, the blessings of hearing an infant’s voice harkening for māmā during a time of need. Whenever a child would uwē during one of my Sunday sermons, I would immediately invite the congregation to enjoy the beauty of this sincere utterance of life. I would share that when we hear our keiki liʻiliʻi crying in church these are signs of hope for us. These are sacred signs of a family gathering with others to worship Christ the King. Our children are sacred signs of hope. The cries of baby Jesus did more than encourage his parents’ confidence, would encourage nations from the East to the West. As Jesus matured, his teachings and miracles affirmed the many majestic names of our Kealiʻiokamanaʻolana. Come and meet God’s hōʻailona of hope for a new life on earth and a promised life eternal in the heavens. Come and meet Jesus, the King of Hope.   

Ka Manaʻolana o Iesū – Kahu ʻŌpio Loheauokalani Boshard KS Hawaiʻi - Ka Papa Onelauʻena, Class of 2024
My parents believed that my brother and I would hear the voices of our ‘ohana and friends worshipping in church even when we were in her womb. Growing up in that environment was a blessing. The most cherished memories were when our church families would go to Kohanaiki Beach every Sunday afternoon to surf until sunset.  After, our parents would gather everyone to fellowship around a fire and worship for hours. Jesus and his gospel are anchors for my family, my church friends and their ʻohana. In every condition, Jesus always united us via prayer and praise. Even during hardships, Jesus gives me hope that I will overcome with His help, word, guidance and the support of my ‘ohana. Christ Jesus gives me hope to be a better person daily and to keep moving forward in the right direction, now and forever.


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