Tupu Whakarangi magazine Issue 241

FREE Issue 241

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TUPU

WHAKARANGI

CONTENTS

Naaman’s Big Problem An Early Christmas Service The Perfect Guide Brothers of Mine Poroutawhao Assembly His Eye is on the Sparrow The Christmas Story He Died for Me Run for the Prize

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Kia Ora Koutou Katoa!

Christmas is almost here once again! again!

We at Maori Postal Aotearoa would like to send you all a message of greeting this Christmas. May God richly bless you all, including your whanau – parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.

We trust this year will be one in which you spare a few moments – while the hangi is cooking – to remember why we have Christmas. Is it just for the presents we give and receive? Is it a good excuse for a big kai? Another time to have a booze-up? An opportunity for a holiday? Well, there’s nothing wrong with presents, food or holidays, but they tend to put a fog over the real thing.

Christ is the reason we have Christmas. It is the glorious “Good News” that He came to save us from our sins. We can know the joy of having our sins forgiven, because the One who was born in the cattle stable at Bethlehem took our place upon the cross at Calvary, when He gave His life for us and rose from the dead to be our Saviour.

This Christmas let us thank the Lord Jesus for His love, for His coming as a human baby; for His dying for us and, as we thank Him, let us invite Him to come into our lives and make Him our personal Lord and Saviour. With best wishes for Christmas and the coming New Year.

Aroha nui te Atua ki a koe.

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NAAMAN’S BIG PROBLEM 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman was an important Tumuaki in the kingdom of

Syria and highly valued by the king to whom he was intensely loyal. He was commander of the Syrian Army, a key position in the land. Along with his position he had every luxury and comfort money could buy. He was also a man of courage and integrity for without those characteristics he would never have occupied such a position. Among the citizens of the land he was held in high esteem and he appeared to be of a kindly disposition.

But despite his position and these advantages, Naaman had a serious problem.

He had the disease of leprosy which, in those days, was incurable. He would no doubt have traded all his luxuries if he could only find a cure, but he knew that such was impossible. All his greatness and satisfaction was overshadowed and marred by this disease. His master, the king, was also concerned: He did not want to lose such a man.

A short time before, part of the Syrian army had gone on a raid and had invaded the land of Israel. As was normal practice, a number of captives were taken as slaves. Among them was a young girl and Naaman engaged her services as a servant to his wife. She must have felt very lonely and homesick being so far away from home and family, but she had faith in God and God had a special plan for her, which shows we are never too young to serve the Lord.

Her master’s grave problem eventually came to her knowledge and one day she said to her mistress, “If only my master was with the prophet in Samaria for he would be able to cure him of his leprosy”. Despite her own situation, she still had concern for others.

It did not take long for Naaman to get the message and he went to see the king of Syria who gladly sent him to the king of Israel with much wealth in exchange for Naaman’s healing and a letter requesting the king of Israel to cure Naaman of his leprosy.

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But in doing this, the king made two mistakes. First, he sent Naaman to the wrong place. There is a lesson for us here. People are seeking satisfaction and meaning in life, but they often turn to the wrong things. Drugs won’t do it; neither will alcohol. They will only make the problem worse. All of us are inflicted with the spiritual disease of sin which is worse than leprosy. Leprosy will only inflict us in this life, but sin will afflict us in this life and on into eternity if it is not dealt with.

The second mistake he made was to think he could buy Naaman’s healing.

But God’s salvation, forgiveness and cleansing power are free, for the price has already been paid in full by Christ through His death on the cross and His victorious resurrection. There is nothing we can possibly do towards our salvation apart from accepting it as the precious gift it is.

When the king of Israel read the letter from the king of Syria he became extremely alarmed. He was not able to cure leprosy. He thought the king of Syria was looking for an excuse to send his army to raid Israel once again. He even tore his clothes to show his distress!

Leprosy is a disease that is characterised by dead flesh, and sin is really spiritual leprosy and is characterised by spiritual death. No one apart from Christ can deliver you from its power and consequences. But you must ask Him for His cleansing and forgiveness, and commit your life to Him. Meanwhile, Elisha, the man of God (the man with God’s remedy) learned that Naaman was in the land and he sent word to the king to send Naaman to him. It seems the king had forgotten all about Elisha and must have been very relieved! Many people have forgotten about God and left Him out of their lives, and wonder why things go wrong.

And so, Naaman arrived outside the house of the man of God, Elisha. What would happen now? He arrived with his entourage of horses and chariots, servants and attendants. He stood outside Elisha’s door arrayed in his military uniform with its brightly polished brass work, medals and all, and his sword sheathed by his side. But Elisha didn’t even come to the door. Instead he sent his servant with a simple message, “Go and wash seven times in the River Jordan and you will be cured”. That was it. God is not impressed by our outward appearance; He sees what’s really going on inside us and often it’s pride that keeps us from submitting to Him. Naaman felt insulted. His pride and dignity had been severely damaged. He expected to be treated as the great man he was. Why didn’t Elisha come out and perform a great miracle in front of everyone? But no, he just sent his servant telling him to go wash in the Jordan River. Naaman became angry: He thought he was going to see something spectacular. But Naaman was wrong.

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There are many people who are wrong about how we obtain God’s salvation. It’s not according to what we think; it’s according to what God has told us in His Word, the Bible. Jesus said, “I am THE way, THE truth, THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Did you get that? There’s only one way and Jesus is it.

Naaman turned his entourage around and headed for home in a rage. What a let down! Anyway, there were better rivers in his own country. If he was going to dip in any river it would be one of those. But when he had cooled down somewhat his servants began to reason with him. They pointed out that if the prophet had asked him to do something great, he would have done it. He was going home, but he still had leprosy. Why not give what Elisha had said a try? Reluctantly, Naaman decided to obey.

He went down to the banks of the Jordan, stripped off and waded out into the water feeling just a little stupid. He dipped once expecting to see a slight improvement, but no. He dipped twice, three times, but still there was no difference. Now he was beginning to have serious doubts. He went under for the sixth time and still no improvement. But image his jubilation when he dipped for the seventh time and his flesh came again as that of a little child – clean and healed!

Jesus tells us in Mark 10 that unless we become humble and receive the Kingdom of God as a little child we shall not enter therein. It cost God the death of His only Son to purchase salvation for us and to save us from an eternity in Hell. Surely, the least you can do is humble yourself as a little child, acknowledge your need as a guilty sinner and receive and thank Him for His amazing gift.

When Naaman was healed he went back to Elisha and said, “Now I know there is no God in all the earth but in Israel”. He meant that the God of Israel is the only true God. There was no hint of him “thinking” here, for now he knew. Now he realised there was only One who could cleanse and restore him.

-- Editor.

TUPU WHAKAR WHAKARANGI ANGI (Growing Heavenward)

ISSUE 241, DECEMBER, 2021

Edited and designed by Graham Batson

Mail: PO Box 10, Whanganui 4540. Email: info.maoripostal@gmail.com www.maoripostal.co.nz

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An Early Christmas Service in Whanganui From an article by Peter Best in the Wairoa Star

A number of long wooden canoes

were moving swiftly down the river, each expertly paddled by a crew of swarthy men. Other canoes were being hauled up the gently sloping banks and their occupants – men, women and children laden with flax baskets and various provisions, were making their way to a grassy place of assembly where a crowd was already gathered, squatting in family groups, waiting expectantly. Who were these people and what was their purpose?

These were Maori people of different tribes gathering for worship at a place called Putiki on the banks of the Whanganui River. The year was 1848 in the month of December. A pulpit had been carried to the field and the Rev. Richard Taylor, Church Missionary Society Agent, prepared to address a large gathering. Many of these people had been barbarous heathen, but now among them were some candidates for baptism and others to partake of the Lord’s Supper. These converts had, in previous years, practiced cannibalism, infanticide and other atrocities. They were now exhibiting “marks of grace” and showing evidence that they were “new creatures in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In his journal, Richard Taylor remarked, after having examined the candidates, “It is a very gratifying consideration that I have such a body of persons in my district living so consistently, that even the most censorious could not allege anything against their religious or moral conduct”. He went on to explain that the examination of these candidates was so thorough that “if it was found that any had lived on terms of intimacy with any immoral person, he was at once rejected”. Each candidate was presented by his “teacher”.

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The following day after the service, Richard Taylor addressed a meeting of the “teachers” or “lay preachers” and listened to 42 of them preach before him from a selection of texts which they had not previously seen. He was struck by the good sermons he heard and the extraordinary fluency of speech of these dedicated “pastors” who had the oversight of churches in the Whanganui district.

On December 24th, a Sunday, he remarks: I began the service a little after 7. It was a glorious day, not a cloud to be seen. We had the pure light of the sun shining upon us; but it was a still more glorious sight to see before me upwards of 3000 Maori people uniting in the solemn service of our church, and listening with deep attention to the Word of God. Around the pulpit stood my band of fellow labourers – the teachers – no inconsiderable company, being 150 in number, and by my side nearly all the head chiefs were assembled, dressed in their picturesque costumes of dogskin mats, elegantly woven parawais; some in their newly acquired European clothing. Beyond them the entire field was filled with the congregation. The lesson of the day afforded a most appropriate text: St Paul’s confession before Felix (Acts 24).

After the sermon I administered the Sacrament to 360. I was obliged to divide the communicants, part for the Sunday and part for the Christmas Day as the Church could not contain the whole at once.

On the Christmas Day it was fine, hot and sultry. Richard Taylor preached from Luke chapter 2, verse 14, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men”, and afterwards administered the Lord’s Supper to 350, making a grand total, including his family, of 710 for the two days.

At this communion a remarkable scene was witnessed. Two Maori chiefs approached the Lord’s table. One of these men, Tamati Wiremu Puna, was seen trembling. After the service he was asked the reason for his emotion. He related the extraordinary circumstance that the other man who had accompanied him, Panapa, a chief of the Ngati Apa, had in former years killed and eaten his father. He went on to say that only the Gospel of Christ, which had given him a new nature, could make him eat of the same bread and drink of the same cup with one who had been the murderer of his own father!

It is interesting to note also, as did Taylor, that while upwards of 3000 Maori people were happily engaged in this great Christmas church service, on exactly the other side of the river, almost the entire European population of around 700 in the infant New Zealand Company settlement of Whanganui, were attending a race

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meeting. This diligent missionary, however, did not neglect these Europeans, and on more than one occasion he went over the river to take services for the immigrant townspeople. At one of these services there were only three persons present besides his own party.

Richard Taylor also learnt later from these revelers at Whanganui that the great assembly of Maori people at Putiki had been looked on with suspicion. Forty men from the military had been specially posted to keep an eye on the proceedings. They could report no untoward incident.

The following day, December 26th, while Richard Taylor was occupied with a host of visitors, giving counsel, distributing books and administering medicine, the great meeting slowly dispersed. The people quietly entered their canoes and paddled away to their distant homes.

“You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me” (Exodus 20:3).

When we think of a false god, we tend to think of an idol made out of wood or stone. But not all false gods are made out of wood or stone. Some are just a figment of our own imagination.

A common mistake people make is to think that God fits into their agenda.

They have their plans and the way they want to run their lives and they just want God to be a part of it and help them achieve what they want. Those people are serving a false god.

First of all, they have no idea of the greatness and majesty of God. Have they ever looked up into the starry sky on a calm, cloudless night and wondered at the awesome power of God who created it all? Have they ever looked at the intricacy of the world of nature all around them and wondered at the overwhelming intelligence that brought it in to being? Have they ever studied the Bible and seen what the real God is like? There they would learn more of His amazing attributes – His power, His holiness, His sovereignty and His love for you and me. They seem to think that this almighty God can be contained within their agenda.

No, the true God does not fit into our meagre little agenda; we fit into His! We submit ourselves to Him to serve Him; He does not serve us. It is in submission to Him, saved by the precious blood of Christ and motivated by His Holy Spirit -- Editor that we find true peace and meaning in life.

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KINGSTONE COMICS Kingstone Comics is an American, comic-style

presentation of the Bible. Originally written by an American children’s pastor who saw a need for a more accessible and entertaining form of Biblical story-telling, the series has a total of 80 titles.

Some time ago, MPA and “Reach Beyond” began collaborating on translating them into Māori and publishing them. We are pleased to say that Matua Tom Roa has been engaged to do the translating.

Tom Roa will be a familiar name to many people.

He is an academic at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato and had his translation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland published in 2015. He is in the throes of following up on this by translating The Hobbit.

Both present considerable difficulties as both are full of made-up words and creative uses of language. Translating the ‘tone’ of the words is the priority for Tom. The first Kingstone Comic, called in English “The Story”, gives an overview of the whole Biblical narrative. God willing, it will be available from early 2022. Thankfully, the nature of translation work means Covid-19 has had indirect but small effect on progress. It is hoped “The Story” will be available to those attending next year’s Festival One in a free, back-toback English-Māori edition. “Reach Beyond” are looking to use the series in prison ministries. As a high-quality comic, it will naturally find its way into many other uses. MPA is pleased to be able to supply the expertise in publishing the series.

COVER PHOTO

The blazing red flowers of pōhutukawa around Christmas time have earned this tree the title of New Zealand’s Christmas tree. Pōhutukawa and rātā belong to the genus Metrosideros. In New Zealand, this genus is represented by two pōhutukawa (mainland and Kermadec), six species of rātā vine, a related shrub, and three tree rātā.

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THE PERFECT GUIDE

by Howard Goold

I wonder if you have felt something

similar to what I have if you have watched some of the Paralympics earlier this year.

What impressive performances many people, some with quite severe disabilities have achieved. Many achieving very notable successes in their chosen sports.

One of these sports was of particular interest to me -- the blind runners with sighted guides.

To watch these very fit athletes running distances from 100 metres to a marathon, and alongside and attached to, a seeing guide was remarkable and made me think of some lessons in life we can learn from them.

1. The guide is there because a strong relationship has been developed between him and the runner.

2. The guide was more than fit enough to cover the whole distance and not be a drag for the runner.

3. The guide was always there running in step with the runner and encouraging him, gently guiding him around corners, getting fluids, avoiding pitfalls, pointing out achievements and very conscious of the wellbeing of that runner.

4. The guide is connected to the runner at the wrist, but never takes the lead to drag or force the runner.

5. The guide crossed the finish line just behind the runner to allow the runner the sense of achievement.

6. The guide’s arm with the attachment to the runner doesn’t swing but was kept at a constant level of comfort for the runner.

7. The guide encouraged and shared the enjoyment of the runner in completing the race.

So, what caught my interest in this event? I saw a wonderful parallel of what God is doing for His people. We are like the runner who cannot see what is ahead, and God is like the Guide alongside us.

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1. God knows our helplessness in regard to facing life’s journey and He wants to establish a strong relationship with us as our Life Guide.

2. God is far more than capable of lasting longer than we ever will and He will never be detrimental to our progress as we run the race with Him. 3. Whether our steps are small or large, whether we shuffle or stretch out, God will always be there to keep in step with us, as we run, encouraging us, keeping us informed with His Word, warning us of pitfalls while we are running within the limits of our connecting link.

4. God is not a driver. He is alongside and not trying to drag us through things we are struggling with.

5. When we finish “The Race”, He wants us to receive the “Well done, faithful servant”.

6. God knows us so well. He has that constancy, and faithfulness that will never change. His support will be our strength as lap follows lap in our race.

7. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”, and our Father will be there to celebrate with Heaven when our race is completed.

Let’s all keep running our race, at the speed which we can at any given moment, enjoying our relationship with our amazing all-knowing, all-seeing Guide.

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Brothers of Mine

The majority of patients at the local hospital wing for the mentally ill were abandoned by their families when they were young. Often they were simply left on the doorstep. Some are now in their sixties and the only life they have known is behind walls with bars on windows and doors.

During my missionary experiences in Colombia, it was a huge privilege to be involved in visiting these dear people over a ten year period and from them I have learned many lessons. Among themselves as patients they were quick to show compassion and were sensitive to each others’ needs.

I recall on different occasions when I may have been feeling a bit down, yet not saying anything, one of them would come and say an encouraging word or something I needed to hear. Maria was one such person who was abandoned by her family as a child. She took it upon herself to “adopt” me as her daughter because we both have blue eyes!

Listening to their stories of life on the streets, drugs, rape, incest, abuse and rejection from family and society, helped put my comparably tiny problems into perspective (1 Corinthians 1:26).

Again I am reminded of Mother Theresa’s words, “It isn’t the great things we do in life, rather the small things with great love” We were going to the beach! “But they have never left these walls!” came the protestation from medical staff. After much planning, prayer and persuasion we made it to the beach with all the patients, but not without its challenges!

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A wealthy woman who had heard of our plan kindly offered to transport everyone in her latest model wagon, something I suspect she regretted later on. The roads in to the squatter settlement where I lived and worked were a bit rough but that particular day, floods from driving rain were prevalent.

Perhaps she was fearful of entering a neighbourhood known for its violence.

Whatever the reason, it somehow didn’t justify leaving more than twenty patients abandoned on the beach that late afternoon, having to find their way back to the hospital.

Amazingly, permission was granted each time we asked and a number of outings were made since that first time. As carers for these outings, we have all felt God’s tangible love for these friends and there is no doubt they have a special place in His heart. This small activity is one of the few things the patients have to look forward to in life. Somehow it gives them hope and that is something we all need; for this life and the next.

By the way, we haven’t seen nor heard from the driver since!

-- Angela Crichton

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” -- Matthew 25:40.

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Scan the Bar Code with your phone to see the MPA App. 13

POROUTAWHAO CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Poroutawhao Christian Assembly celebrated its 65th

Anniversary in April 2018. It was a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for His faithfulness over many years. It was celebrated with a time of praise and thanks to God for the men He had chosen to do the foundational work in service to Himself. The happy day ended with a shared hakari and the warmth of Christian fellowship. The purpose and fellowship still continue today.

In 2017 Pani Kerehoma and Ruby Deb Pupuke were baptised, fulfilling God’s command. The Word of God was shared with those attending.

This same year we hosted the Aotearoa Annual Sisters’ Conference at Tatum Park for which 85 women registered. Women speakers from other Assemblies shared the Word, and many were blessed and challenged. The theme was “The King is Coming”. Follow up after the Conference has shown blessing and encouragement. It also showed the importance of preparation and the continuation of the Annual Sisters’ Conference held throughout Aotearoa.

Assembly involvement over the years include cottage meetings, outreach to prisons, Bible studies with adults. It is now also combined with Community Activities, like counselling, mentoring, recycling clothing, upskilling and budgeting. These give excellent opportunities to reach people on their various levels for Jesus.

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Sunday Services 2nd and 4th Sunday each month.

Worship: 10 a.m. -- 11.10 a.m.

Sharing Time: 11.10 a.m. -- 12 noon.

Bring a shared lunch: 12 noon -- 1 p.m.

Bible Study: 1.15 p.m. -- 3.00 p.m.

Elders: Mr. Timothy Samuel.

Mr. Eoin Henderson.

Mr. Wallace Taane.

Mr. Craig Rolston.

Te Uira is still involved in a full time capacity serving the Lord in the Assembly since her late husband Mowhia passed away. Please pray for her as she continues to serve the Lord, which she has always enjoyed. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” -- (Nehemiah 8:10).

Timo Samuel also serves the Lord in a part time capacity. He is responsible for the Ministry of the Word and a highly respected Brother, loved by all at Whare Rongopai Fellowship.

Please also pray for the Whare Rongopai Whanau as they continue to seek to share the good news of the Gospel.

For further information contact:-Mrs Te Uira Graham Kerehoma 16 Clay Road, RD 12, Levin 5577.

Phone 06 368 3275.

Mobile 027 368 3275.

Email. teuirakerehoma@gmail.com

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes -- (Romans 1:16) 15

“His Eye is on the Sparrow” Sparrow ”

-- Liz Silcock

Whenever we look out of our window we

are very likely to see a sparrow, either flitting past or hopping across the ground. These little grey-brown garden birds are one of New Zealand’s most common species. They live off seeds, small insects and worms, and are so friendly that we can sometimes see them pecking at the scraps left on the plates in a cafe. They build their nests in trees and hedges, and even around buildings. Sparrows are found all over the world.

Can you believe that there are estimated to be 10,000 to 13,000 different bird species in the world and 200 to 400 billion individual birds at the present time?

Birds far outnumber people because the World Population Clock showed that in July 2021 there were about 7.9 billion people on our planet.

These kind of numbers can make our head spin around, but the amazing thing is that the Bible tells us that God sees every single little bird. He made each and every one, He feeds them, provides homes for them and He watches over them until they die and fall to the ground. So, if God cares so much for the little common garden sparrow, how much more does He care for us?

Jesus asked that question: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

Life in Israel was hard when Jesus walked on earth. Like most of His people He came from a humble family who had to work hard to make a living. They were also living under the occupation of the cruel Roman government, and so they were fearful of a lot of things. How could they survive? How could they pay their taxes?

How could they keep out of trouble from the Roman soldiers? Why did God allow the bad things that were happening in their country? Did He really care for them?

Jesus wanted to assure them that God really did love them, and so they should not fear but put their trust in Him. On another occasion He used the sparrows as an example of God’s care for them. In those days sparrows and other small birds would be caught and plucked

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and eaten. They were sold in the market. They provided only a mouthful but they were very cheap – two for a penny (about 1cent today) or the bargain price of five for two pennies. Jesus said, “Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).

There are billions more birds on earth than people, but if God is watching over each little bird we can be sure that He is always watching over us because we are so much more valuable to Him than a bird. In fact, God values each person so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die so that He might enable us to become part of God’s family forever. This was necessary because each one of us has offended God through our sinful lives, and so we are separated from God who is pure and holy.

There is nothing that we can do ourselves to get right with God. God is just and cannot leave our sin unpunished but, because He loves us very much even though we are sinners, He had a plan to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. Jesus was willing to take our punishment and die on the Cross in our place. Three days later He rose from the grave to eternal life, proving that He was God’s Son and had authority over sin and death.

Now Jesus has promised that if anyone confesses that they are a sinner and believes that He died to take away their sin and that He rose from the dead, they immediately have forgiveness for their sin and become a child of God. They belong to God’s forever family because they have been given the gift of eternal life. They now have the Spirit of Jesus living within them to teach them the right way to live, to guide them and strengthen them through whatever life may hold in the days to come. And they have the promise of a home in Heaven when the time comes for them to die. Isn’t this an amazing offer? Have you made the decision to accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord?

There is an old gospel hymn “His eye is on the sparrow”, and the second verse reads, “Let not your heart be troubled, “His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”

Next time you see a sparrow, remember how great a price Jesus paid for you because you are so precious to Him.

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The Christmas Story Long

ago,

about 2000 years, when King Herod ruled Judea (now part of Israel), God sent the angel Gabriel to a young virgin woman who lived in the northern town of Nazareth. Her name was Mary and she was engaged to marry Joseph.

The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “Peace be with you! God has blessed you and is pleased with you.”

Mary was very surprised by this and wondered what the angel meant.

The angel said to her “Don’t be afraid, God has been very kind to you. You will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a baby boy and you will call him Jesus. He will be God’s own Son and his Kingdom will never end.” Mary was very afraid but she trusted God. “Let it happen as God chooses.” she replied to the angel. Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth who everyone thought was too old to have children, would have a baby boy whom God had chosen to prepare the way for Jesus.

Mary said goodbye to her family and friends and went to visit her cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. Elizabeth was very happy to see Mary. She knew that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son. An angel had already told Zechariah that Elizabeth’s baby would prepare people

to welcome Jesus. He was to be called John.

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home to Nazareth.

Joseph was worried when he found out that Mary was expecting a baby before their marriage had taken place. He wondered if he should put off the wedding altogether. Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: “Don’t be afraid to have Mary as your wife.” The angel explained that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son and told Joseph that the baby would be named Jesus which means ‘Saviour’ because he would save His people from their sins. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel had told him to do and took Mary as his wife.

At this time, the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted to have a list of all the people in the empire, to make sure they paid their taxes. He ordered everyone to return to the town where their families originally came from, and enter their names in a register (or census) there.

Mary and Joseph travelled a long way (about 70 miles) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because that is where Joseph’s family came from. Most people walked but some more fortunate people had a donkey to help carry the goods needed for the journey. Joseph and Mary travelled very slowly because Mary’s baby was due to be born soon.

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When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay.

So many people had come to register their names in the census, that every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the guest rooms. The only place to stay that they could find was with the animals. People often kept animals in the house, especially at night, and used them like ‘central heating’!

People normally slept on a raised/upper level with the animals below to give them extra warmth.

So in the place where the animals slept, Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Then many more angels appeared, lighting up the sky. The shepherds heard them praising God singing: “Glory to God in highest, and peace to everyone on earth.”

In those days it was the custom to wrap new-born babies tightly in a long cloth called ‘swaddling clothes’. Jesus’ bed was the manger that the animals ate their hay from.

In the hills and fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds looked after their sheep through the long night. As the new day began, suddenly an angel appeared before them and the glory of God shone around them.

The shepherds were very, very scared, but the angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone. Today in Bethlehem a Saviour has been born for you.

You will find the baby lying in a manger”.

When the angels had gone the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem to see what has happened.” So the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was lying in a manger as they had been told. When they saw him, they told everyone what the angel had said and everyone who heard the story were astonished. Then the shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God for sending his Son to be their Saviour.

When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in the sky. Some Wise Men in a faraway country saw the star and guessed what it meant. They were very clever men who studied the stars and had read in very old writings that a new star would appear when a great King was born. They set out to find the new King and bring Him gifts.

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The Wise Men followed the star towards the country of Judea and when they got to the capital called Jerusalem they began to ask people: “Where is the child who is born to be king of the Jews?” Herod, the king of Judea, heard this and it made him very angry to think that someone might be going to take his place as king. Herod sent for the Wise Men to come to him. He told them to go on following the star until they had found the baby king. He said: “When you have found him, let me know where he is, so that I can go and worship him.” But Herod did not tell them that he really had an evil plan in mind to kill the new King.

him.” So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary during the night and left for Egypt, where they stayed until Herod died.

When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the Wise Men, he was furious and he gave orders to kill all the boys aged two or younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. This was to try and kill the new King, as his plan to find the location of the new King from the Wise Men had failed.

After Herod had died, Joseph had another dream in which an angel appeared to him.

The angel said, “Get up, take Jesus and Mary and go back to Israel, for those who were trying kill Jesus are dead.”

So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary and they went back to Israel. But when he heard that Herod’s son was now king of Judea, he was afraid to go there. So instead The Wise Men followed the star towards they went to Galilee, and lived in their old Bethlehem (where it said that the king would town of Nazareth where Jesus grew up. be born in the old writings). It seemed to stop and shine directly down upon the place where Jesus was.

The Wise Men entered the house where they now lived and found Jesus with Mary, they bowed down and worshipped him. The Wise Men spread the the gifts they had brought before Jesus. The gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Wise Men were warned in a dream, by God, not to go back to Herod. So they returned home to their country in the East by a different way.

When the Wise Men had gone, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” the angel said, “take Jesus and Mary and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for Jesus to kill

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HE DIED FOR ME

The “Swallow” was making her usual crossing of Lake Erie in North America. Besides a number of passengers on her decks she carried a large cargo of tar in her hold. Half way across the lake the captain noticed smoke beginning to come from the hold. “Simpson,” he ordered the mate, “Go below and see what the matter is.”

Simpson came up with his face as pale as ashes. “Captain,” he explained, “the ship is on fire!” The awful cry of “Fire! Fire!” was heard as billows of smoke poured from the now fiercely burning tar. All hands rushed on deck and torrents of water were poured on, but to no avail.

The panic-stricken passengers were told to get to the bow as quickly as possible while the old pilot, John Maynard, steered the vessel towards the port of Buffalo. The shore was in sight but the fire grew worse and worse.

Would they make the shore in time?

“John Maynard!” shouted the captain to the helmsman.

“Yes sir,” came the answer through the flames and smoke.

“Can you hold on for five minutes more?”

“I’ll hold on with the help of God, sir!” Those were the last words he ever said.

The boat reached safety and the shore-based fire fighters controlled the blaze, but the brave pilot was terribly burned. His right hand had been burnt so much he had ceased to use it, but with his left hand he had held the helm fast and thus guided the boat to the wharf.

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All were saved except the pilot, John Maynard, who died at his post.

The funeral was an impressive one. The crew, the passengers and nearly the whole town, followed the body to its last resting place. Those who lived because he had died shed many tears of gratitude and sorrow.

If you were to go to one of the cemeteries in Buffalo, you would see a stately marble monument and on it inscribed in letters of gold: “To the Pilot, John Maynard, from the grateful passengers of the “Swallow”.

He died for us”.

This true story of life on the Great Lakes of North America reminds us of another sacrifice which was made a long time ago. This was when God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth. He was born as a baby in Bethlehem and placed in a manger. He grew up to manhood living a pure and sinless life, and then offered Himself as a sacrifice to God the Father for our sin.

Now, have you ever given a thought to the Lord Jesus, who died on Calvary for you? Do you understand that He bore the punishment for your sin that you might be saved and blessed? If so, surely there will be written, not in letters of gold on a tombstone, but in burning letters on your heart – “He died for me.”

It was a simple matter of One taking another’s place. He was the innocent One and we were the guilty sinners. We deserved eternal death because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place.

What is your response to Him? Surely you will want to trust Him now and give your life to Him as your Lord and Saviour.

“The Son of God . . . loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

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RUN FOR THE PRIZE Have you started the race to Heaven?

If not, will you start today?

Yes, come and trust in Jesus, He’s the Life, the Truth, the Way. Are you running today for Heaven?

Are you looking to win the race?

With your eyes still fixed on Jesus And the beauties of His face.

Are you trying to run in “gumboots”, Through water and mud and grime, With that sin that drags you downwards And hinders you all the time?

Are you carrying a lot of baggage With a load upon your back?

Throw off those things that hinder, Get rid of your rubbish sack.

Forgetting those things behind you Then on Jesus fix your eyes, Start running with all endurance And press on to win the prize.  Janet Fleming Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- (Hebrews 12:1-2)

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Tena Koutou Katoa

Anei Nga Korero Pai

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