Tupu Whakarangi Magazine Issue 250 by Maori Postal Aotearoa

I S S U E 250 / HAKI HE A 2023

Tupu Whakarangi

ISSUE 250

"KOIA ANŌ TE AROHA OO 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." HOANI 3:16 "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM MAY NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE" JOHN 3:16

www.maoripostal.co.nz

CONTENTS

08 06 BIG TOM AND LITTLE TIM Page 06 - 07 "Now,” said the teacher, “a law is not good unless there JUST AS I AM Page 08 - 09 is a penalty attached."

MAORI - ENGLISH WORDS Anahera - Angel Aotearoa - New Zealand Aroha - Love Ihowā - God Ihu Karaiti - Jesus Christ Kirihimete - Christmas Kura - School Tamariki - Children Tane - Men Tangata - People Te Rongo Pai - The Good News Whānau - Family Waiata - Song

He can take frustration like Charlotte Elliot’s, skepticism like Lewis’, and nervousness like Billy Graham’s, and reach the world through you!

WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF KIRIHIMERE? Page 11 Kirihimere is the celebration of this incredible act of aroha.

TE HARINUI Page 16

Ask yourself this year if WHY DO WE CELEBRATE your giving reflects the spirit of Him who gave His KIRIHIMERE? best for us—just because Page 12 - 13 He loves us. FAMILY MOVIE We celebrate the Lord who RECOMMENDATION SISTERS in humility took on "the AOTEAROA Page 19 very nature of a servant" CONFERENCE for our sakes. Page 17 This film tells an imaginative and sweet TE ARA MO TE Te Rongo Pai, happening version of Jesus' birth from the point of view of RONGOPAI on the 20th - 22nd animals. Page 14 - 15

September 2024.

At Oihi Bay, the first sermon of the Gospel of Ihu Karaiti in Aotearoa was preached on Kirihimete 1814.

TUPU WHAKARANGI

IS THIS YOUR WHĀNAU? Page 21 What you're allowing them is the least healthy person to decide your most important days.

Merry Christmas

What an incredible year it has been. We are so thankful to everyone who has supported us and filled with thankfulness as we refect on everything we have seen God do this year. From us to you, enjoy the Christmas season lifting praise to God for the wonderful gift of Jesus. May God bless you and your family with peace and joy for the year to come. Blessings, Malachi and Char National Directors

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

TUPU WHAKARANGI

BIG TOM AND LITTLE JIM Years ago, there was a certain school in this section of the mountains which no teacher could handle, and none lasted very long. The boys were so rough that every teacher resigned. A young gray-eyed teacher soon applied for the position. The old school director looked him up and down, and then said, “Young fellow. Do you have any idea what you are getting yourself into? An awful beatin’ from the students! Every teacher we have had for years has had to take it.”

One fellow yelled, “No stealing!” Another yelled, “On time!” Finally, ten rules were written across the blackboard. “Now,” said the teacher, “a law is not good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?” “Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,” was the decision of the boys.

The serious-minded teacher replied, “I’ll take the risk.”

“That is pretty severe boys. Are you ready to stand by it?” Inquired the teacher. Another yell and the teacher said, “The rules stand. School comes to order!”

On the following Monday morning, as he stood before his new students, one big fellow, Tom, whispered to his classmates. “I won’t need any help, I can lick him by myself!”

All was going well until in a day or so “Big Tom” found his lunch had been stolen. Upon inquiry, the thief was located — a hungry little fellow by the name of Jim, about ten years old.

The teacher said, “Good morning, boys! We have come to conduct school, but I confess I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I will write them on the blackboard.”

The next morning the teacher announced, “We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rules — ten stripes across the back! Jim, come up here!”

The little fellow trembling, came up slowly with a big winter coat fastened up to the neck and pleaded, “Teacher, you can whip me hard as you like, but please don’t make me take off my coat.” “You must take that coat off, you helped make the rules,” the teacher said firmly. “Oh, teacher, don’t make me!” But he began to unbutton the huge, rugged coat anyway, and what did the teacher behold? Lo, the lad had no shirt on, with only strings for suspenders over his little bony body. “How can I whip this child?” thought he. “But I must do something if I am to keep this school.” The classroom was quiet as death. “How come you to be without a shirt, Jim?” asked the young teacher. Jim replied, “My father died this year and mother is very poor. I have only one shirt to my name and she is washing that today, so I wore my brother’s big coat to keep warm.” The teacher, with rod in hand hesitated. Just then, from the back of the schoolroom, ‘Big Tom’ jumped to his feet and said, “Teacher wait! I will take Jim’s whipping for him!” “Very well, there is a certain law whereby one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?” Off came ‘Big Tom’s’ coat, and after five hard lashes, the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands and thought, “How can I finish this awful task?” Then he heard the entire school sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. “Tom, I am sorry I stole your dinner, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I’ll love you till I die for taking my whipping for me. Yes, I’ll love you forever!” TUPU WHAKARANGI

Friend, you have broken rules and deserve punishment! You have broken God’s Laws! But Jesus Christ took your scourging (beating) for you; He died in your place and now offers you His garments of salvation. Will you not fall at His feet and tell Him you will love and follow Him forever? The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 10:9 states, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” This story means so much to me because in a spiritual sense, I’m the little Timmy and Jesus Christ steps down from perfection in Heaven, stooping over me and takes the punishment that I deserved. I’ve done far worse than steal a lunch - my heart attitude and my natural self towards God, my selfishness, my pride, my arrogance, all the things I choose to do. Outside of Christ, I’m a wretch, I'm pitiful, blind and naked and I deserve eternal punishment for that. But Jesus Christ, because of His amazing grace, takes the beating on my behalf. I don’t think all eternity will be enough to thank him. Article by Steve Wimble

"JUST AS I AM" As a young woman, Charlotte Elliott was not sure of her relationship with Christ. She was not sure of how to be saved. The probing question of a Swiss evangelist, “Are you at peace with God?”, would not leave her mind. When she saw the evangelist a few weeks later, she mentioned she could not shake his question. But what could she possibly bring to God? When he replied that she need not bring anything but herself, she gladly accepted Christ. Some twelve years later, in 1835, crippled by illness and constant fatigue, she felt saddened by her inability to help a local church’s cause. Remembering her conversation with the evangelist, she took out pen and paper and wrote a poem to encourage others who felt perhaps they too had nothing to give.. “Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, Oh, Lamb of God, I come…” 8

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

Charlotte Elliott

C.S Lewis

Billy Graham

An English poet, hymn writer, and editor. She is best known by two hymns, "Just As I Am" and "Thy will be done".

The author of The Chronicles of Narnia, and also noted for his other works of fiction and nonfiction Christian apologetics.

An American evangelist, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate.

Her waiata was published and she was inundated with requests for it. She was gladdened to discover that some copies were being sold to raise money for the very cause she felt helpless to assist! After her death, thousands of letters were found in her home, written by those whose lives had been transformed by her words. Sixty years later, in 1931, a 31 year old man riding in the sidecar of his brother’s motorcycle in England finally came to the end of his internal struggle against whether Christ was indeed the Son of God. He finally knew in his soul that indeed Jesus was just who He said He was! He realised that God calls us to Him “just as we are”. When C.S Lewis stepped out of the sidecar, he was a new man, saved by grace! Ninety-nine years after Charlotte Elliott penned her words, and three years after Lewis’ conversion, the 16 year old son of a dairy farmer listened intently as he heard the message of salvation preached at a revival service in Charlotte, NC. When the song, “Just As I Am,” was sung at the end, young TUPU WHAKARANGI

Billy Graham went forward to accept Christ. Twenty years later, Billy Graham had become a successful evangelist and was invited to speak at Cambridge University in England. His nervousness over the event nearly led him to cancel it, but he was introduced to a kind man named C.S Lewis who encouraged him to disregard the critics and continue with the revival. Rev. Graham went on to speak to a crowd of 2000 each night of the revival. When he returned to England in 1989, he addressed a crowd of 80,000 at England’s Wimbley Stadium and as always, he closed the event with the same song that brought him to Christ, “Just As I Am”. Never think you have 'nothing' to bring to Jesus for that is exactly what He wasn’t you to bring - nothing! He wants you, just you. “Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” Article by Michele Norris Melton

Heoi, e whakakitea nuitia ana e te Atua tōna aroha ki a tātou, i te mea, i a tātou anō e hara ana, ka mate a te Karaiti mō tātou. Rōma 5:8

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF KIRIHIMERE? The true meaning of Kirihimere is aroha. "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17. The true meaning of Kirihimere is the celebration of this incredible act of aroha. The real Kirihimete story is the story of Ihowā becoming a human being in the person of Ihu Karaiti. Why did Ihowā do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Kirihimete necassary? Becuase we needed a Savior! Why does Ihowā aroha us so much? Because He is love Himself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Kirihimete each year? Out of gratitude for what Ihowā did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Kirihimete is aroha. Ihowā loved His own and provided a way - the only Way - for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His one and only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of aroha. TUPU WHAKARANGI

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE KITIHIMETE?

Christians the world over celebrate Kirihimete in honour of the birth of Ihu Karaiti in Bethlehem. Various Kirihimete traditions have been associated with the celebration of Kirihimete, and different cultures celebrate different ways. The unifying factor is the historical fact that Ihu Karaiti was born, c. 5 BC. The anahera who appeared to the shepherds the night Ihu Karaiti was born said, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" Luke 2:10-11.

Messiah (or Christ) who fulfills the Law and the Prophets, showing that Ihowā is faithful.(Matthew 5:17). And He is the divine Lord who has entered our world: the Almighty has taken on human flesh; Ihowā and tangata have been fused together in an indivisible, eternal bond; Ihowā is truly with us (Matthew 1:23).

In celebrating Kirihimete, we celebrate the Savior, because we needed deliverance. We celebrate the Christ in whom all the promises of Ihowā are "Yes" and "Amen" (2 "Nō nāianei hoki Corinthians 1:20). We i whānau ai he celebrate the Lord who in Kaiwhakaora mō humility took on "the very of a servant" for our koutou i te pā o nature sakes Rāwiri, arā a te (Philippians 2:6-8).

We celebrate Kirihimete because, as the anahera said, the birth of Ihu Karaiti is "good news'. Good news is meant to be celebrated. In fact, the anahera said Karaiti, te Ariki." Ruka 2:11 the news of Ihu Karaiti We celebrate Kirihimete with being born would cause gift-giving because of the "great joy" and would be "for all the "indescribable gift" that Ihowā gave to people" - the joyful celebration would us (2 Corinthians 9:15). We celebrate be universal. People around the globe Kirihimete by stringing lights because would be glad for this occasion. the Light of the world has come to us (John 1:4, Isaiah 9:2). We celebrate We celebrate Kirihimete because, as the Kirihimete with carols and choirs anahera said, "A Savior has been born because they are expressive of joy to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." and follow the examples of Mary and The three titles the anahera applies to Zacharias and Simeon and the angels, Ihu Karaiti are important. Ihu Karaiti is all of whom extolled the Lord in poetry the Savior who delivers us from sin and (Luke 1-2). We celebrate Kirihimete by death (Matthew 1:21). He is the human decorating evergreen trees with stars 12

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

they went, dragging all humanity with them into the darkness and death of sin. And what did Ihowā do? He did not tell us to find our own way out of the mess we were in, and He sis more than shout happy thoughts to us from Heaven. No, he came down to where we were and got us.

and tinsel and an anahera because of the eternal life Ihu Karaiti brings (John 4:14) - and the stars and beauty and anahera were all associated with His birth. In celebrating Kirihimete we celebrate the aroha and condescension of Ihowā. In Texas in 1987, a toddler by the name of Jessica McClure fell into an eight-inch well casing. Down she went, becoming stuck twentytwo feet below ground. Once people discovered that "Baby Jessica" was in the well, they took immediate action. They didn;t tell her to find a way to climb back up, and they didn't just shout happy thoughts to encourage her. No, they went down to where she was and got her. They did whatever it took. rescuers worked nonstop for fifty-eight house to free her.

That's what Kirihimete is all about - Ihowā coming down to rescue is, to do whatever it took to deliver us from sure dealth. When even one person is in a life-threating situation, we understand what has to be done. When Ihowā looked down at our sinful planet, He saw a whole world of tangata in mortal danger. We celebrate Kirihimete because it was at Kirihimete that the Rescuer of all mankind came to save us form the hopeless situation we were in. Ihowā did not stay in heaven; He came down to where we are.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve fell. Down TUPU WHAKARANGI

TE ARA MO TE RONGOPAI THE GATEWAY FOR THE GOSPEL

Eventually, Ruatara and the others made their way back to Aotearoa via Port Jackson on the "Ann" in 1812.

Ruatara, (Te Ara mo te Rongopai), played a crucial role in the introduction of Christianity to Aotearoa. In the early 19th century, Ruatara, like many young Māori tāne, served on various ships in the South Pacific. He faced both fair and unfair treatment from ship captains during his time at sea. Several Māori, including Te Pahi and his sons, visited Port Jackson and Sydney Cove in 1805, where they met Samuel Marsden. Marsden was deeply impressed by them and befriended them. In 1809, while returning to Australia from Britain, Marsden discovered Ruatara in a terrible state

on board the ship "Ann". Ruatara had embarked on a journey to England but was subjected to mistreatment and placed on the "Ann" for return to Australia. Marsden was shocked by Ruatara's condition and provided him with care and support. Ruatara stayed for eight months with Marsden and his whānau in Paramatta where he learned about agriculture and expressed a strong desire to improve his country through farming. In 1810, Ruatara, eager to return to his people, received assistance from Marsden to work his passage on the ship "Frederick." However, the captain deceived them and left them stranded on Norfolk Island. 14

Upon returning to the Bay of Islands, Ruatara found himself as the heir to Te Pahi's mana, following Te Pahi's death after European sailors carried out a punitive raid against him. Ruatara, still in his mid-twenties, needed to prove himself as a chief. He introduced agriculture but faced challenges in demonstrating the benefits of his farming efforts due to the lack of tools for grinding wheat. Marsden's gift of a handmill helped address this issue. Like his uncle, Te Pahi, Ruatara invited Marsden to begin a Christian mission in Aotearoa to teach skills and knowledge to his people. In late 1814, Ruatara along with chiefs Hongi Hika and Korokoro, went to meet Marsden in Australia. Marsden, the chiefs and three missionary families (the Kings, Kendalls and Halls) arrived back at Rangihoua in the Bay of Islands on the 22nd December, 1814.

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

Ruatara had prepared his people for this historic event. In preparation for what was to be the first church service ever held, Ruatara built a makeshift pulpit, arranged some old waka for seating and raised the Union Jack flag. (Ruatara had become familiar with how church buildings were set up from his extensive travels.) At Oihi Bay, the first sermon of the Gospel of Ihu Karaiti in Aotearoa was preached on Kirihimete 1814.

North and was being commemorated as Te Ara mo te Rongopai (the gateway for the Gospel), was seriously ill. In March 1815, after engaging with many chiefs in the Far North, establishing trade links and eliciting support for the Gospel mission, Marsden returned to Port Jackson. Shortly after his departure,

Marsden preached from Luke 2:10, partly in English and also using his limited understanding of Te Reo gained through the previous nine years of encounters with Māori. Ruatara translated the message later to help the crowd better understand. “And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” This was a significant milestone in the introduction of Christianity to Aotearoa. However within weeks of this significant event, the great chief Ruatara, who had established wheat growing as a new enterprise among the chiefs of the TUPU WHAKARANGI

Ruatara passed away. His remains, along with those of his wife Rahu, were carried to Motutara, his tribal lands.

TE HARINUI

The Rev. Samuel Marsden first preached the Gospel at the Bay of Islands on Kirihimete 1814.

1. Not on a snowy night By star or candlelight Nor by an angel band There came to our dear land Te Harinui Te Harinui Te Hari-nu-i Glad tidings of great joy 2. But on a summer day Within a quiet bay The Maori people heard The great and glorious word 3. The people gathered round Upon the grassy ground And heard the preacher say I bring to you this day 4. Now in this blessed land United heart and hand We praise the glorious birth And sing to all the earth

The Rev. Samuel Marsden The Rev. Samuel Marsden was the first person in Aotearoa to preach the Gospel of Ihu Karaiti, in the Bay of Islands on Kirihimete 1814. His sermon was based on Luke's text, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Marsden settled in Australia in 1794, and twenty years later he capitalized on a long friendship in Australia with Ruatara, son of Te Pahi, the paramount Chief of Nga Puhi - the predominant tribe in the northern North Island - and came to Aotearoa. He was welcomed by the whānau of Ruatara in the Bay of Islands on the 19th December, 1814. On Kirihimete he preached the first sermon there. He became much revered by Māori. He was noted for his protection of them against the incursion of settlers, and for his encouragement of missionaries to continue this policy. 16

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

TUPU WHAKARANGI

FAMILY MOVIE RECOMMENDATION This film tells an imaginative and sweet version of Jesus' birth - from the point of view of animals.

Donkeys don’t dream. Well, not in an aspirational, “follow your dreams” way, at any rate. But Boaz is no normal donkey. Marching in a circle grinding grain is not Bo’s vision of destiny fulfilled. No, Bo and his friend, Dave the dove, harbor royal aspirations: marching at the vanguard of the king’s caravan.

Someone else has taken anxious notice of the star too: King Herod. It means something, but he’s not sure what. The unexpected arrival of the three visitors from the East only amplifies his paranoia, especially when they carry on about bringing gifts for a king—a different king than Herod. Back in Nazareth, the

This films tells an birth of Mary’s baby is imaginative and now fast approaching, sweet version of but she and Joseph Jesus' birth - from must take a long trip to the point of view of Bethlehem for a census ordered by Herod. Little animals.

Bo breaks his bonds and flees his angry owner, but an injury to one hoof keeps him from fleeing far. He soon takes refuge in the courtyard of a young couple named Joseph and Mary. And the tenderhearted, miraculously pregnant young woman tends to Bo’s hurt hoof.

Meanwhile, a dazzling, mysterious star has appeared in the heavens. That blazing object prompts three wise men and their camels—Deborah, Cyrus and Felix—to begin the long journey toward, well, actually, they don’t know quite where. But they’re convinced the celestial sign predicts the birth of a king. TUPU WHAKARANGI

do they realize that their craven ruler has ordered a speechless, ogre-like henchman and his two fearsome dogs to track down the identity of this would-be king… and end his reign before it begins. Thankfully, Bo makes the perilous journey with them, fulfilling a bigger destiny than he could have guessed in his wildest donkey dreams. Article by Plugged In

Can you find the real Ruth among these baaaaaaad hipi?

Can you unscramble these kupu from THE STAR?

A I

H E K

M A A E R K P I

Can you spot the 5 differences between these pictures of Deborah the kamera?

H E A P O H R E E M U E H T W ANSWER: KAIHE, KAMERA, HIPI, HOHEPA, MERE, WHETU

Dream big like Zach the koti and solve the puzzle!

WWW.MAORIPOSTAL.CO.NZ

IS THIS YOUR WHANAU?

As holiday season approaches, do not let the least healthy member of your whānau control your most important moments. We can tolerate things from whānau that we would never tolerate from anyone else. Why does Uncle Jerry always get to be drunk and annoying on Kirihimete? Because he’s whānau but he needs to either change his behaviour or change his plans. Otherwise, what you’re allowing is the least healthy person to decide your most important days.

TUPU WHAKARANGI

Do not allow them to set the tone and culture of special occasions. You may need to have a conversation like, “hey, we love you but there are some things we are asking and if you can’t agree to those, you don’t need to come." If you have the holidays at your home, you control the environment. People don’t get access to you, your marriage, your kids because of their blood but because of their character. Article by Pastor Mark Driscoll

"A TRUE CHRISTIAN WILL BE SENSITIVE TO THE SIN IN THEIR LIFE AND IT WILL LEAD THEM TO BROKENNESS AND GENUINE CONFESSION, BUT THE PERSON WHO SAYS THEY ARE A CHRISTIAN AND ARE NOT SENSITIVE TO SIN, IT DOES NOT LEAD THEM TO CONFESSION, A PERSON WHO IS THAT WAY IS NOT A CHRISTIAN." By Paul Washer

A CHURCH VISITOR ASKED THE PASTOR, "CAN I REQUEST PRAYER?" "SURE, WHAT DO YOU WANT PRAYER FOR?" "MY COUSIN DIED LAST WEEK. PRAY THAT IHOWĀ WILL GUIDE HIM IN THE AFTERLIFE." THE PASTOR ASKED, "SUPPOSE YOU'RE TAKING AN EXAM. SHOULD YOU PRAY BEFORE THE ECAM OR AFTER?" "OBVIOUSLY, BEFORE THE EXAM." "RIGHT. WHEN YOU PRAY AFTER THE EXAM, IT'S LIKE YOU'RE ASKING IHOWĀ TO CHANGE THE GRADES. THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE IHOWĀ IS FAITHFUL. HE CANNOT DECEIVE THE RESULT. SIMILARLY, WHEN WE DIE, THE EXAM IS OVER. WE CAN NO LONGER CHANGE OUR DESTINY. HEBREWS 9:27 READS THAT WE DIE ONCE AND THEN FACE JUDGEMENT. THAT MEANS NO SECOND CHANCE, I'M SORRY FOR YOUR RELATIVE. HE CAN NO LONGER BE PRAYED FOR. THAT IS WHY PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL WHILE THEY ARE STILL ALIVE. THEY HAD TO ACCEPT IHU KARAITI AS LORD AND SAVIOR BEFORE IT WAS ALL OVER." SINNERS WHO BELIEVE THEY CAN BE SAVED AFTER DEATH WILL GET THE GREATEST SHOCK OF THEIR LIVES. TEACH THE TRUTH BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT CAN SET PEOPLE FREE. (JOHN 8:32) 22