Tekau mā rima- Rātapu 15 Hakihea - Tamariki & Rangatahi

Day 15 - Sunday 15 December - Tamariki & Rangatahi

He kaupapa mō te rā

Tamariki & Rangatahi

Christ-mas is for all ages, but thanks to many traditions passed on from a variety of cultures, all blending together to create our contemporary Christ-mas celebrations today, the festival of Christ-mas is often focussed on our tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people).

The whakatauki “Tā te tamariki tāna mahi wāwāhi tahā - It is the job of the children to smash the calabash" is about how tamariki will make mistakes but will also challenge boundaries as they learn/explore their world. The calabash represents rules and guidelines, and the whakataukī suggests that it's normal for tamariki to challenge.

He Karaipiture (Bible Reading)

Matiu/Matthew 1:18-21

Nā, ko te whānautanga tēnei o Īhu Karaiti; he mea taumau a Meri, tōna whaea, mā Hōhepa, ā, i te mea kīanō rāua i tata noa ki a rāua, ka kitea kua hapū ia i te Wairua Tapu. Otirā, he tangata tika tāna tahu, a Hōhepa, ā, kāhore ōna ngākau kia whakakitea nuitia ia, ka mea kia whakarērea pukutia. Otiia, i a ia e hurihuri ana i ēnei mea, nā, ka puta moemoeā mai tētahi anahera a te Ariki ki a ia, ka mea, “E Hōhepa, e te tama a Rāwiri, kaua e hopohopo ki te tango i a Meri, i tāu wahine; nā te Wairua Tapu hoki tōna hapū. Ā, e whānau ia he tama, me hua e koe tōna ingoa ko Īhu; nō te mea māna e whakaora tōna iwi i ō rātou hara.”

This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins.”

Whakarongo/Titiro Mai (Listen/Watch)

George Tavalea and Maika Bonifant explain ‘oikos’ with a challenge that humanity has the responsibility as God's spiritual family to tiaki what has been bequeathed us, Taiao.

Ngā mea waihanga (Create)

Magnolia leaves are a gift that keeps on giving. These ‘taonga’ (treasures) dry out with splendid natural colour and also make a great canvas for adornments on the Christ-mas tree or simply scattered around to join in the chorus of carols and lights.

He Whakaaroaro (Reflect)

It’s mindblowing to think that our powerful Kaihanga (Creator) chose to come into the world in human form as a pēpē, born to a young rangatahi wahine. This wasn’t a warrior move of might, but an act of vulnerability. If our God showed this love, respect and care for tamariki and rangitahi, we must also follow this example. There is much we can learn from our young people, not just in the future when they become adults and leaders, but right now, while they still see the world for what it is rather than how we ‘ideal’ it. Their bravery, courage, curiosity and wonder can guide and challenge us to be better navigators of our troubled world. After all, it is what we leave them that will map out their future too. Toitū te Taiao!

Whakahokia mai (Respond)

Hold a conversation with tamariki or rangatahi sometime during this week. Be prepared to learn something new from the interaction.

Karakia (Pray)

Mihimihi - Waiata with sign language by Nga Pihi Sung by soloists and choir from Bayfield School and Ponsonby Primary School, Auckland, New Zealand - 2013 & Video by Philip Griffin. Ngā mihi aroha ki ngā tamariki nei. Meri Kirihimete ki a koutou katoa.

Te tuatahi, e mihi ana ki te Kai-hanga Te tuarua, e mihi ana kia Papatuanuku Te tuatoru, e mihi ana ki te whare Te tuawha, e mihi ana ki te hunga mate Te tuarima, e mihi ana ki te hunga ora.

Bonus Creativity from Jacynthia

Advent candle stand 2024. Hymn book pages, gum tree nuts, pine cone leaves, red & yellow pōhutukawa. How can we not love toi taiao