Rua tekau mā toru - Rāhina 23 Hakihea - Atua

Day 23 - Monday 23rd December - Atua

He kaupapa mō te rā

Atua

Traditional for Māori is to refer to God as the Creator or giver of all things rather than the colonial interpretation of God. The word Atua refers to supernatural beings including gods, ghosts, demons and strange beings and is often translated as ‘God’.

Io was/is some tribes’ tradition of a supreme being, which may be a response to Christianity. However, Io occurs in a number of traditions from the Polynesian islands, including Hawai‘i, the Society Islands and the Cook Islands. This suggests a more ancient tradition. Io has been largely misunderstood by tauiwi (non-Māori) and the Christian church in Aotearoa.

He Karaipiture (Bible Reading)

“Koia anō te aroha o te Atua ki te ao, hōmai ana e ia tāna Tama kotahi, kia kāhore ai e ngaro te tangata e whakapono ana ki a ia, engari kia whiwhi ai ki te ora tonu.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Whakarongo/Titiro Mai (Listen/Watch)

The Nativity Story (2006) official trailer - with NZ actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac Christ-mas Movie. A drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

Ngā mea waihanga (Create)

The ‘Vicar’s Workshop’ fashioned these offcuts, leftover from bigger cabinet making projects, to capture the rīpeka (cross) in an embrace of upcycled aroha. It is this same aroha that God has gifted us these fallen palm tree husks.

He Whakaaroaro (Reflect)

We have celebrated the Creator and giver of all things throughout this Advent as we count down to Christ-mas. Throughout history and across cultures people have tried to define the Creator. On the one hand this hankering to define God makes sense but on the other hand it becomes an impossible task. We are faced with trying to fit God into our own ideas, our frame of reference and our understanding of the world. In trying to define God, we become guilty of attempting to contain and control God. We miss God being so much bigger than our understanding. So many battles have raged throughout history based on differing views of God. Even in 2024, religious warfare is happening right now in our world.

Kaihanga, Kaihōmai, Runga Rawa, Atua, and Io. “Atua-like functions centred on Io alone; thus it is that Te Toi-o-ngā-rangi (the uppermost heaven) is so tapu. In consequence of the powers of all the atua being vested in Io-matua-ngaro (the supreme being) alone, is called by these names: Io-nui (Great Io), Io-wānanga-o-ngā-rangi (Io instructor of the heavens), Io-te-waiora-o-ngā-mea-katoa (Io the health of all things), Io-taketake-o-ngā-mea-katoa (Io the origin of all things), Io-matua-o-ngā-mea-katoa (Io the parent of everything)”. © Copyright 2003-2024, John C Moorfield, Te Aka Māori Dictionary.

The Creator and giver of all things will never fit into our words. When we look out at creation and experience breathtaking awe, when we hold a newborn baby and feel overwhelmed by the miracle of birth, when we become so overcome by our thoughts or emotions or health that our words completely fail us… perhaps in those speechless moments we are closest to the name for God.

Whakahokia mai (Respond)

Go outside to a clear area. Stand with your arms outstretched as wide as you can make them. Look up at the sky. Look down to the ground. Look around you. Invite the Creator and giver of all things, bigger and wider than your understanding to be with you this Christ-mas.

Karakia (Pray)

E te Atua…

E te Kaihanga…

E te Kaihōmai…

E te Runga Rawa…

Daniel & Ashley - Amine!

Subscriber contribution

Photos of pōhutukawa taken by Andrew at Okoromai Bay at the end of Whangaparāoa peninsula