Tu‘apulelulu Tisema 20, 2018

hū ki he tamasi‘i ‘Otuá

FOLOFOLA

Matiu 2:11

Pea ‘i he‘enau hū ki he fale, na‘a nau ‘ilo ‘a e tamasi‘i, ‘oku ‘i he‘ene fa‘ē ko Mele; pea nau fakatōmape‘e ‘o hū kiate ia: pea na‘a nau tangaki ‘enau ngaahi ‘angame‘a, ‘o nau ‘atu kiate ia ‘a e ngaahi me‘a‘ofa, ko e koula mo e laipeno mo e mula.

FAKAMATALA

Na’e ‘ikai ngata pe ‘i he fononga mai ‘a e kau Maki ‘i ha laui maile ke fe’iloaki tonu pea mo e Misaia, ka ‘oku tau ma’u ‘a e fakamatala fekau’aki pea mo e ngaahi me’a’ofa ke foaki ki he ki’i tamasi’i.  Ko e foaki li’oa mo e feilaulau ‘o e taimi mo e koloa ma’a e tu’i fo’ou na’e fakahaa’i mo’oni ai ‘a e faka’apa’apa pea mo e hu na’e ma’u ‘e he kau tangata ni. 

FEKAU

‘Oku founga fefe ho’o fakahaa’i ho’o ‘ofa mo ho’o faka’apa’apa ki he ‘Otua?  ‘Oku ke foaki kiate Ia ‘a ho’o koloa, pe ‘oku ke foaki kiate Ia ‘a e toetoenga ‘oku ‘ikai te ke fiema’u?

FETAPA

‘E Tamai, ‘oku ou fie foaki atu ‘a hoku lelei taha.  He kuo ke foaki kotoa mai ‘a e me’a ‘oku ou ma’u.  ‘Oku ou fakamalo atu pea ‘oku ou fie fakaha ia ‘i he’eku toe luva atu ‘a e ngaahi koloa lelei kuo u ‘inasi ai.  ‘Emeni.

worship the child

SCRIPTURE

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

OBSERVATION

Not only did the Magi likely travel great distances to meet the Messiah in person, but now we see that they also brought with them gifts they treasured. The sacrifice in both time and

treasure for the new king shows such reverence and respect.

APPLICATION

How do I show reverence to God? Do I give Him some of what I treasure, or do I give Him my leftovers?

PRAYER

Father, I want to give you my best. Afier all, you have given me 100% of what I have. I want to say thanks by giving back some of the best of what I have received. Amen.

Ko e hā e ‘uhinga ‘oku tau fa‘a pehē ai pe na‘e toko tolu ‘a e kau maki? –

(why do we traditionally assume that there were three magis?)

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Ko e punoú,  ko e fakahaa‘i ia ‘o e ha?

(bowing, as in this verse, signifies what?)

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Pulelulu Tisema 19, 2018

sio ki he fetu‘u

FOLOFOLA

Matiu 2:10

Pea ‘i he‘enau sio ki he fetu‘u, na‘a nau fiefia ‘aupito, ‘aupito.

FAKAMATALA

‘Oku lave ‘a e veesi ko eni ki he tu’oua ‘a e mamata ‘a e kau maki ki he fetu’u.  Ko e fuofua taimi na’e hoko pe ia ‘i he ‘alo’i ‘o Sisu.  Ko e ha hono ua, na’e hoko ia ‘i he hili ‘enau fehu’i kia Kingi Helota fekau’aki pea mo e tu’i fo’ou kuo ‘alo’i. 

Ko ‘enau fiefia na’e ‘ikai koe’uhi ko e ‘alo’i ‘o Sisu, ka ne makatu’unga ‘i he mahino te nau fe’iloaki mo sio tonu ki hono fofonga.

FEKAU

Kuo ‘i ai ha taimi kuo ke li’aki lotu ai?  ‘Oku hoko pe ‘a ‘ete ma’u lotu ko ha fakakakato polokalama pea ‘ikai hoko ko ha me’a ‘oku te nofo ‘o fakana’una’u ki ai.  Ka na’e kehe ‘a e kau Maki ia, na’e huluatu ‘enau fiefia ko e ‘amanaki ke nau fe’iloaki tonu pea mo Sisu.  Feinga ke liliu ho fakakaukau ki ho’o teuteu ke ke ma’ulotu ‘i he Sapate ‘i ho’o ‘ilo ko ho’o ‘i he lotolotonga ‘o e ‘Otua ko e tapuaki laulotaha ia ki he kau kalisitiane.

FETAPA

‘E ‘Otua, tokoni mai ke u ma’u ‘a e loto fiefia ‘i ho lotolotonga.  ‘Oku ou mahino’i ‘oku ‘ikai te ke ‘afio pe ‘i he potu fai’anga lotu, he ‘oku ke ‘i he potu kotoa pe.  Tokoni mai ke u ‘apasia kiate koe he ‘oku ke ‘i heni mo au pea ke u ma’u ha loto hangamalie ‘o hange koe loto na’e ma’u ‘e he kau Maki.

when they saw the star

SCRIPTURE

"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed." Matthew 2:10

OBSERVATION

This verse makes reference to the second the time the Magi saw the star. The first time was when they saw it immediately after Jesus was born. The second time was after the Magi went to ask King Herod about the newborn king. Therefore, their joy the second time seeing the star was probably not due to the fact that Jesus had been born, but more than likely due to the fact that they were about to personally meet Him face-to-face

APPLICATION

Have you ever skipped church for a weekend? Sometimes it feels like attending is just what you're supposed to do on a Sunday, but it's not something you always look forward to with excitement. However, the Magi were overjoyed with the fact they were about to be in the presence of Jesus. Try changing your perspective this Sunday at church and realize it is a gift to be in the presence of God.

PRAYER

God, I want to be overjoyed in your presence. I know you don't just live at a church, but that you are everywhere. Help me to feel your presence and to have a grateful attitude like the Magi. Amen.

Ko e hā ha founga ‘e lava ke ke ma‘u ai ‘a e fiefia ke ke fie ‘alu ki he feohi – ‘o ‘ikai te ke kumi ha ‘uhinga ke ke li‘aki ai? –

(What are some ways to keep you excited about attending worship, rather than looking for ways to miss out?)

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Ko e hā ‘a e uho ‘o e fiefiá, ‘o fakatatau ki he veesi ‘o e ‘aho ni?

(What is the source of joy according according to our verse? explain)

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Tusite Tisema 18, 2018

‘ani maki mei hahake

FOLOFOLA

Matiu 2:1-2

1 PEA hili ‘a e ‘alo‘i ‘o Sīsū ‘i Pētelihema ‘i Siutea, ‘i he kuonga ‘o e tu‘i ko Hēlota, ‘iloange na‘e hoko ki Selusalema ‘ani Maki mei Hahake, 2 ‘oku nau fehu‘i, Kofa‘ā ia kuo ‘alo‘i ko e Tu‘i ‘o e kakai Siu? he na‘a mau mamata ‘i Hahake ki hono fetu‘u pea kuo mau omi ke hū kiate ia.

FAKAMATALA

Ko e kau maki ‘oku fa’a taku ko e kau poto pe ko e ha’a Tu’i.  Kapau ko ha tu’i, ‘e tonu pe ‘enau ‘ahia ‘a e tu’i fo’ou ne toki ‘alo’i, pea ‘ikai ko ia pe ka ko e fakakakato ‘a e palofisai ‘oku ha ‘ia Same 72:11 ‘oku fakamatala ki he omi ‘a e ngaahi tu’i ‘o nau punou ki he Misaia.

Na’e fononga mai ‘a e kau maki ke nau fe’iloaki mo Sisu ‘i hono ‘alo’i.  ‘Oku tui ‘a e kau fakatotolo Tohitapu ‘e ni’ihi na’e fononga mai ‘a e kau tangata ni mei ha ngaahi fonua mama‘o, pea mahalo na’e lau ta’u ‘a e fononga ko eni.

‘Oku fakaofo ‘a e fononga na’e fai ‘e he kau tangata lavame’a mo matiketika ko ení, ko e fononga ‘i he ngaahi maile ‘e lau ngeau, ko ‘enau fekumi ki ha ki‘i pēpē valevale. Na‘e pehē fau ‘a e tukumo‘ui mo e mateaki‘i me‘a ‘a e kau tangata ni.

FEKAU

Na’e loto e kau maki ke nau feilaulau’i ‘a e taimi lahi mei honau ngaahi fatongia ki honau ngaahi fonua, ka nau fekumi mai ke hu kia Sisu.  ‘Oku ne ue’i kitautolu ketau fakatokanga’i ‘a e tapuaki ‘oku tau ma’u ‘i he’etau hu mo lotu kia Sisu ‘i ha taimi pe ‘oku tau fie lotu ai.

FETAPA

‘E ‘Otua, ‘oku ou fie fakalangilangi’i ‘a ho huafa mo hu kiate koe ‘o fou ‘i he’eku ngaahi ngaue ‘o ‘ikai ‘i he’eku lea pe mo e hiva.  ‘Oku ou faka’amu ke ke langilangi’ia ‘i he’eku to’onga mo’ui ‘i he ‘aho kotoa pe.  ‘Emeni.

Magi from the east

SCRIPTURE

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" Matthew 2:1-2

OBSERVATION

The Magi are oftentimes referred to as wise men or kings. If they were indeed kings, it would not only be fitting for them to visit the newborn king, but it would also be a fulfillment of another prophecy in Psalm 72:11 that says kings will bow down to the Messiah.

The Magi began their journey to see Jesus at the time of His birth. Some theologians believe they travelled from several countries away, which means that it may have taken them years to actually arrive to see Jesus.

It is impressive that men of power and influence would travel from presumably hundreds of miles away to visit a baby. What  dedication and respect these men had!

APPLICATION

The Magi were willing to sacrifice potentially years of their lives simply to have the opportunity to see and worship Jesus. It's humbling to remember that you have the opportunity to worship Jesus anytime you want.

PRAYER

Lord, I want to bring glory and worship to your Name not just through songs, but through my actions. I want you to be honored by how I live my life every day. Amen.

Ko e hā ‘a e ‘uhinga ‘o e fo‘i lea maki? – lava pe ke ke fekumi ki ai ‘i he neti? –

(What does the word “magi” mean? You may look it up)

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Ko hai ‘a e tu‘i ‘i he taimi ‘o e ‘alo‘i ‘o Sisu?

(Who was king in Jerusalem at the time of the birth of Jesus?)

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Monite Tisema 17, 2018

Fu‘u fiefia ‘aupito

FOLOFOLA

Luke 2:20

Pea foki atu ‘a e kau tauhi sipi, mo nau fakafeta‘i mo fakamālō ki he ‘Otua; koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi me‘a na‘a nau fanongo ki ai, pea mo ia na‘a nau mātā, ‘oku na tuha mo e me‘a na‘e tala mai.

FAKAMATALA

Na’e a’u tonu ‘a e kau tauhi sipi ‘o vakai ‘a Sisu mo e ‘uhinga ‘o e mavava ‘a e kau ‘angelo.  Na’e mafola atu ‘a e fiefia na’e ma’u ‘e he kau ‘angelo ‘o ‘inasi ai ‘a e kau tauhi sipi he na’a nau fai ‘a e fakalangilangi mo e fakafeta’ia ‘o e ‘Otua ‘o hange ko e kau ‘angelo.  Kuo kamata ke mafola ‘a e ongoongo ‘o e hoko mai ‘a e fakamo’ui. 

‘I he hili ‘a e pekia ‘a Sisu, na’e a’usia ‘e Pita mo Sione ha fiefia tatau ‘o ‘ikai ke na kei lava ke mapukepuke ‘ena fiefia pea na loto ke talaki ‘a Sisu ki he tokotaha kotoa pe (Ngaue 4:20).  Na’a na loto lelei ke na nofo pilisone ‘o a’u pe ki he mate, ka ko e me’a na’e ‘ikai te na loto ke ta’ofi, ‘a ‘ena malanga’aki ‘a e huafa ‘o Sisu.

FEKAU

‘I he taimi ‘oku ke fe’iloaki ai mo Sisu, ‘oku ‘ikai te ke fa’a mapukepuke ho’o fiefia ka ‘oku ke loto ke talaki ‘a Sisu ki ha tahakehe.  ‘Oku ke fa’a talanoa ki ha taha kehe fekau’aki mo Sisu?  Kapau ‘oku ‘ikai, pea ke fehu’i hifo kiate koe pe ‘oku ke mahio’i mo’oni ‘a Sisu mo’ene felave’i mo ho’o mo’ui.  ‘Oku ‘omi ‘e Sisu ha fu’u ‘ofa ‘oku mahulu hake, mo ha ‘amanaki mo e kelesi ‘oku mahulu hake pea ‘oku ke loto ke ‘inasi ai ‘a e kakai kehe.

FETAPA

‘E ‘Otua, ‘omi ha faingamalie ke u vahevahe ai ‘a e ‘amanaki ‘oku ou ma’u ‘ia Sisu mo hoku ngaahi kaungame’a, famili mo ha kakai kehe pe.  Pea neongo ‘e ‘ikai te u ma’u ha lea ‘oku fe’unga, tokoni mai ke u kei lava pe ‘o fakamatala ‘a e koloa ‘oku ou ‘inasi ai.  ‘Emeni.

Still too excited

SCRIPTURE

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20

OBSERVATION

The shepherds were able to visit Jesus and got to see what the angels had been so excited about. The excitement from the angels must have been contagious considering theshepherds also began glorifying and praising God. Word about the Savior is beginning to spread already!Later after Jesus' crucifixion, Peter and John couldn't stop talking about Jesus to others (Acts 4:20). They were willing to go to jail or go to their death, but what they weren't

willing to do was stop talking about Jesus.

APPLICATION

When you encounter Jesus for yourself, you can't help but tell others about it. Do you talk about Jesus to others? If not, you might ask yourself the honest question about whether you really understand what Jesus means to you. Jesus provides so much love, hope and grace that you'll want others to experience the same.

PRAYER

God, give me opportunities with friends, family and others to share the hope that Jesus provides to me. Even if I don't feel like I have the right words, work through me and help me be clear those with whom I speak. Amen.

Ko e hā ha me‘a na‘a ke fu‘u fiefia ke talanoa‘i – pea ‘ikai kei ta‘ota‘ofi koe?

(What was the last thing you could not stop talking about to your friends?)

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Ko e hā e ongo kī ki ho‘o fakamo‘oni ki he koosipelí  ‘oku hā ‘i he fiefia ‘a e kau tauhisipi?

(What two things must you have in your witness to others that were seen in today’s verse?)

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Sapate Tisema 16, 2018

Kolōlia ki he ‘Otuá

FOLOFOLA

Luke 2:13-14

13 Pea fakafokifā pē na‘e ‘i he ‘āngelo ha tokolahi ‘o e hōsitē ‘o Langi, ‘oku nau fakamālō ki he ‘Otua, ‘o nau pehē.

14 KO E KOLŌLIA KI HE ‘OTUA ‘I LANGI TAUPOTU,

PEA KO E MELINO KI MĀMANI

KI HE KAKAI KUO HOIFUA KI AI.

FAKAMATALA

Ne kau mai mo ha kau ‘angelo tokolahi ki he potu na’e ‘i ai ‘a e kau tauhi sipi ‘o hiki ‘a ‘enau hiva mo ‘enau mavava ‘i he ‘alo’i ‘o e tamasi’i Misaia. 

Ko e hiva fakalangilangi ko eni ko e talateu ia ‘o e lea na’e fai ‘e Sisu ‘i he tohi Luke pe ‘i he’ene pehe ka longo ‘a e tangata ‘e Kalanga ‘a e maka. 

Pea neongo ‘oku ‘ikai ke fakalangilangi’i ‘e he tokolahi ‘a Sisu, ‘oku taau ketau fakamahino’i ko e huafa ‘o Sisu ne fakafeta’ia pe ia mei he momeniti ‘o hono ‘alo’i, ‘a ia na’e fai ‘e he kau ‘angelo.

FEKAU

Manatu’i ‘oku ke fakalangilangi’i ‘a e ‘Otua ‘o ‘ikai ngata pe ‘i ho’o hiva, ka ‘oku fai ‘i ho to’onga mo’ui.  Neongo pe ko e ha ho’o ngaue ‘oku fai, tokanga na’a ke fai ha me’a ke Kalanga mai ai ‘a e ngaahi maka koe’uhi ko e ta’e fai ho fatongia.

FETAPA

‘E ‘Otua, ‘oku ou fie hoko ko ha tokotaha ke u fakalangilangi’i koe ‘i he anga ‘o ‘eku lea mo ‘eku ngaue.  Ke ‘a’au ai pe ‘a e langilangi mo e kololia.  ‘Emeni.

Glory to God

SCRIPTURE

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:13-14

OBSERVATION

Many more angels show up in the fields to join the praise and worship concert as the shepherds probably stood dumbfounded.

This event foreshadows the Book of Luke when Jesus states that if God is not praised, then the rocks will cry out. Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" Jesus replied, "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:38-40. While not everybody chooses to praise Jesus, it is worth mentioning that the name of Jesus has been praised from the moment He was born, starting with the angels.

APPLICATION

Remember that you bring glory to God not just by singing songs, but based on how you live your life. Whatever you do-don't be the reason the rocks would have to cry out.

PRAYER

God, 1 want to live my life in such a way that you are glorified through my words and actions. All the glory is yours. Amen

Ko e hā ‘a e fakafeta‘i ‘oku tu‘ukimu‘á  ‘o fakatatau ki he hiva ‘a e kau ‘angelo?

(According to today’s passage, what is the greatest praise we can offer God?)

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Tokonaki Tisema 15, 2018

‘Ikai mapukepuke ‘a e fiefia

FOLOFOLA

Luke 2:9

Pea ‘iloange, na‘e tu‘u mai kiate kinautolu ha ‘āngelo ‘a e ‘Eiki, pea malama mai ‘a e Sikaina ‘o e ‘Eiki ‘o hulu‘ia kinautolu; pea na‘a nau manavahē–ko e manavahē ka ko ha manavahē. 

FAKAMATALA

‘I he hili pe ‘a e ‘alo’i ‘o Sisu, na’e hā ha ‘angelo ki ha kau tauhi sipi na’a nau ‘i he feitu’u ko ia.  Ka, ‘oku ke fa’a fifili pe ko e ha ‘a e ‘uhinga?  Na’e fu’u fiefia ‘aupito pe ‘a e kau ‘angelo ‘i he ‘alo’i ‘o e misaia.  He kapau ‘oku nau katoanga fiefia ‘i he fakatomala ha tokotaha (Luke 15:10), pea ko e hā hano vāvā tatau mo ‘enau fiefia ‘i he hoko mai ‘a e ‘Alo ‘o e ‘Otua.  Ko e ha ‘a e ‘angelo ki he kau tauhi sipi ko e mahulu hake pe ia ‘a ‘ene fiefia ke talaki ‘a e ongoongo lelei.  Ko e monu’ia lahi mo’oni ‘o e kau tauhi sipi. 

FEKAU

‘Oku fefe ho’o fiefia ke ke talaki ‘a e ongoongolelei ‘o Sisu ki he kakai kehe?  ‘I he taimi ‘oku ke ma’u ai ha faingamalie ke ke vahevahe ho’o tui, ‘oku ke fakana’una’u mo fiefia ke tala ki ha taha kehe ‘a e ‘amanaki ‘oku ke ma’u ‘ia Kalaisi?  Pe ‘oku ke manavahe mo ma ke ke talanoa ki he taha kehe kau ki ho’o lotu?  Ke ke hoko ko ha ‘angelo ke ke lea ki ha taha fekau’aki mo e ongoongo lelei ‘o Sisu. 

FETAPA

‘E Tamai Hevani ko e me’a’ofa ‘a ho’o foaki mai ‘a Sisu ma’a ku ko e me’a’ofa fungani taha ia kiate au.  ‘Omi ha faingamalie ke u talaki malohi mo lototo’a ‘a e me’a’ofa fungani ko eni ki he kakai kehe.  ‘Emeni.

Excited, much!

SCRIPTURE

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. " Luke 2:9

OBSERVATION

Right after Jesus was born, an angel appears to shepherds in the fields nearby. But have you ever thought why? It's because even the angels were excited about the birth of the Messiah! C'mon... if angels throw a party over one lost sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), then they probably can't contain their excitement when the Son of God arrives! When the angel appears to the shepherds, he just has to tell someone about the good news! Lucky shepherds

APPLICATION

How excited are you to tell others about the good news of Jesus? When presented with opportunities to share your faith in Him, do you burst at the seams to tell others about the hope you have in Christ... or do you cower in fear and sheepishly avoid the topic of conversation? Be an angel to someone else and speak up.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, your gift of sending Jesus is the most significant gifi I have ever received. Give me opportunities to boldly and excitedly share that gifi with others. Amen.

Hiki mai ‘a e ngaahi fo‘i lea ngaue (veape) mei he veesi ‘o e ‘aho ni.

(List the action words – verbs – in today’s verse)

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Ko e hā e ‘uhinga fika ‘uluaki ‘oku ‘ikai te ke vahevahe ai ‘a e ongoongolelei?

(Give the biggest reason for you Not sharing the goodnews with others)

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Falaite Tisema 14, 2018

‘Ikai ha loki mo ‘o Sisu

FOLOFOLA

Luke 2:6-7

6 Pea lolotonga ‘ena ‘i ai, na‘e kakato hono māhina ke fā‘ele: 7 pea na‘a ne ‘alo‘i ‘a e tama, ko hono ‘uluaki, ‘o ne fakakofu ‘aki ia ‘a e kofu‘i tamasi‘i valevale, ‘o ne fakatokoto ‘i he ‘ai‘angakai ‘o e manu: koe‘uhi na‘e ‘ikai te na hao ‘i he fale talifononga.

FAKAMATALA

Neongo ‘a e lahi ‘o e ngaahi ‘imisi ‘o e ‘alo’i ‘oku tau maheni mo ia, mahalo pe ko e potu na’e ‘alo’i ai ‘a Sisu na’e ‘ikai ke tatau ia mo e ngaahi potu ‘oku tau maheni mo ia ‘i he ngaahi fakamanatu ‘o e kilisimasi.  Mahalo na’e nofo pe ‘a Siosifa mo Mele mo ha famili he ‘oku ‘ikai tala ‘e he Folofola ia ha potu pau na’e hoko ai ‘a e ‘alo’i ngata pe ‘i he talamai na’e ‘ikai ha loki mo’o kinaua. 

Pea kapau na’e ‘ikai ai ha loki, na’a na nofo ofi pe ‘i ha potu na’e ‘i ai ‘a e ‘ai’angakai.  Pea neongo pe ko e ha ‘a e fotunga ‘o e potu na’e ‘i ai ‘a Mele mo Siosifa ‘i he po na’e ‘alo’i ai ‘a e tamasi’i ‘Otua, ka na’e ‘ikai ko e potu ia na’a na ‘amanaki ‘e fakahoko mai ai ‘a ‘ena fuofua tama he’ena hoko ko e tamai mo e fa’e.

FEKAU

Ko e taimi lahi ‘oku ‘ikai ke hoko ‘a e ngaahi me’a ‘oku tau faka’amu ki ai ‘o fakatatau ki he’etau ‘amanaki, ka ‘oku tatau ai pe he ko ‘ene hokomai ‘oku ‘ikai ketau fa’a tokanga ki he tukunga ‘o e ngaahi me’a ‘oku tau sio ki ai ka ko e ola pe kuo tau tu’uta ki ai.  Fiefia pe mo fiemalie ‘i ha tu’unga ‘oku ke hoko ki ai ‘o kehe ia mei he me’a na’a ke palani mo ‘amanaki ki ai.  ‘Oku malava ki he ‘Otua ke ne fai ha me’a lahi ‘i ho’o mo’ui ‘i he taimi ‘oku ke tukuange ai ‘a e me’a na’a ke palani mo teuteu.

FETAPA

‘E ‘Otua, ke hoko pe ho finangalo ‘i he’eku mo’ui ‘o ‘ikai ko hoku loto.  ‘Emeni.

No room for baby Jesus

SCRIPTURE

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:6-7

OBSERVATION

Despite what nativity scenes traditionally depict, it is unlikely that Jesus was born in a barn. More than likely, Joseph and Mary stayed with relatives in Bethlehem. In fact, the Bible never even mentions a barn, but simply states there was no room for Jesus in the guest room.

However, even if there was room in a relative's guest room for Mary and Joseph, it is likely that Mary stayed next to Jesus wherever the manger was located, and also likely that Joseph stayed next to Mary wherever she was located. Regardless of where this new young family actually stayed the night Jesus was born, it probably was not what Mary nor Joseph had pictured for their first night as parents

APPLICATION

Things may not always turn out the way that we hope, but sometimes the way we wished things were just doesn't matter in the end. Be okay with your life looking different than how you planned. God may be able to do more with you when you let go of what you had pictured.

PRAYER

God, may your will be done with my life, not mine. Amen

Ko e hā e  ‘a e ‘uhinga na‘e fokotu‘utu‘u ai ‘e he ‘Otuá  ‘a e tohi kakaí,  kae ngalo ha loki ke ‘alo‘i ai hono ‘Alo? –

(Why do you think that God arranged for a census to take Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem and not arrange a room for his own son to be born in?)

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Ko e hā na‘e mahu‘inga ai ‘a e fakalea ‘a e veesi ‘o e ‘aho ni, ‘o pehē, na‘a ne ‘alo‘i ‘a e tama, ko hono “‘uluaki” ?

(Why is it important for the verse to say that Mary gave birth to her “firstborn” ?)

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