Nov. 25, 2016

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

Kamehameha Schools envisions its learners to be grounded in Christian and Hawaiian values. Nā kahu o Kamehameha – Brian Boshard, Kordell Kekoa and Kalani Wong – created weekly Hawaiian-focused Advent devotionals. Although designed with students in mind, they can also be used by families or individuals to celebrate the coming of Christmas. Below is this week's devotional message:

Do you feel like you’re always in the season of preparing?  We’ve just finished preparing for Thanksgiving with all of the menu planning, multiple runs to market, food prep, and cooking.  But when we sat down to enjoy that bounty of food with family and friends, there was nothing better. 

Then it’s quickly on to the next preparation- Black Friday shopping, making gift lists, pouring over ads of all the stores, and strategizing where to go first.

As you shift to preparing for Christmas, before you take out the decorations or head to the mall, or your computer to shop, take some time to prepare your heart for this special season. 

Too often, preparation is focused on you…all the shopping you need to do, all the parties you need to go to, all the check lists to complete before Christmas. This causes us to get stressed out and miss the real focus of Christmas- the Christ child.  Yes, there are things to do but if we see the point of Christmas as celebrating the birth of Christ, our hearts and minds will be in the right place.

Itʻs a lot like preparing for a baby’s first birthday lūʻau.  Family come from all over to kōkua.  The men jump in to dig the imu, an uncle donates the puaʻa, the garage is turned into an assembly line for the laulau, and laughter rings out as the tomato and onions are being diced for the lomi salmon.  There’s a lot of work to do but the work is light because it’s about this keiki hiwahiwa, celebrating this keiki’s growth and development.  Everyone’s heart is set on the joy that this day marks. All that aloha comes out through their efforts and their manawaleʻa.  In like manner, let your focus for Christmas be on Christ.

For part of your preparations, take a moment to pause.  To prepare myself for different things, I’ll take a moment to pause so I might clear my mind and heart.  I’ll use that time to pray and let God speak to me so I am clear that it is His words that I’m saying as I share His message.  Wake up a little earlier each day to spend a couple minutes in prayer so that you might turn the day over to Ke Akua. 

Another way to prepare for Christmas is to fast.  For some fasting is the abstaining from food.  When Jesus prepared for the start of his ministry, he went into the desert and fasted.  Yes, it was a withholding of food but it was also fasting from other things that would distract him from being with God.  We can fast from those things that occupy our time unnecessarily such as TV, social media, extracurricular activities and spend that time reading the Baibala or in pule, strengthening our bonds with the Almighty.

While you journey though the Advent season, may you prepare your hearts and minds.  Take your eyes off of the tasks before you and set your eyes on Jesus.  Pause for prayer and step away from the distractions.  As you do so, may you find a sense of refreshment and hope for the real reason of this Christmas season.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2020
SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS’ Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.

This series of Advent devotionals supports Vision 2040 by instilling in haumāna and others the Christian and Hawaiian values embraced by KS’ beloved founder, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.