Kamehameha Schools has created a series of Hawaiian-focused devotionals for Advent, to honor the deep Christian faith of our founder Princess Pauahi. The devotionals were designed to be used by staffers, students and others to celebrate the coming of Christmas, so please feel free to share them!
Heluhelu Baibala – Scripture Reading
Haele wikiwiki lākou, a ʻike ihola iā Maria, a me Iosepa, a me ke keiki, e moe ana ia ma kahi hānai holoholona. A ʻike lākou, hoʻolaha akula lākou i ka ʻōlelo i haʻi ʻia mai iā lākou no ia Keiki. A ‘o ka poʻe i lohe a pau, mahalo ihola lākou no nā mea i haʻi ʻia aku iā lākou e ka poʻe kahu hipa. Kāohi ihola ʻo Maria ia mau mea a pau me ka hoʻomanaʻo iho i loko o kona naʻau. A hoʻi maila nā kahu hipa, me ka hoʻonani a me ka hoʻoleʻa i ke Akua no ia mau mea a pau a lākou i lohe ai a I ʻike ai hoʻi, e like me ka mea i haʻi ‘ia mai iā lākou.
– Luka 2:16-20
So they (shepherds) came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as he lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
– Luke 2:16-20
He manaʻo o ke kahu
KS Hawaiʻi Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard
What do shepherds rejoice about? Although this question may sound like a set-up to a comical refrain, the question is one of great spiritual depth. Shepherds are given the tremendous task of caring for livestock that will bless a community with drink, food, and clothing. Often a flock consisted of over a 1000 sheep making the duty of protecting the welfare of this precious animal an arduous duty indeed. Consequently, having all of the sheep in the flock safe and accounted for may be the most joyful moment in a committed shepherd’s daily routine.
When the lowly shepherds witnessed a multitude of angels filling the night sky with their brilliance and jubilant song, were they joyous or terrified? Personally, my heartbeat would have been thumping off the charts! Yet an angelic messenger reassured the shepherds that the King of all nations had been born destined to be the greatest Shepherd of all time! Imagine receiving that kind of message if you are a shepherd. Finally, a Shepherd King who would protect, take care of and look after the daily welfare of all people and account for each of us each day. What a joyous blessing!
He manaʻo o ka haumana
KS Hawaiʻi Keiki Kahu Naomi Schubert
A shepherd is called to not only lead a flock, but to lead the lost. They are called to lead the lost back to the path. While the shepherds rejoiced for the birth of Christ, they led their sheep and the people in the town of Bethlehem to come and rejoice with them. I find it hopeful that the shepherds are the ones who spread the word of Christ being born, seeing as Jesus is the ultimate shepherd. He came into this world not to condemn us, but to lead the lost souls towards the righteous path.
View previous Advent messages and learn more about the Christian values of Kamehameha Schools on the KS “Our faith” web page.
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