JOY DURING ADVENT
On Sunday, I had the privilege of sharing my art of watercoloring with the congregation, along with the joy that it brings me and the joy I hope to share with others through it. The piece I shared is a painting of `iliahi blossoms. The `iliahi trees once flourished on all of the main Hawaiian islands until the late 18th and early 19th centuries when the kings sold them off to China. By 1840, almost every tree was cut down, and it was rare that anyone ever saw them again. A few years ago, I was hiking in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and came across an `iliahi in blossom. I wasn’t sure if that’s what it was since I had never seen an `iliahi before. However, I took a photograph and was so happy to find that I had seen my first `iliahi! Sometimes joy catches us by surprise!
The Book of Isaiah was written during a difficult time in the nation of Israel, yet there are words of deep and profound joy in it. I encouraged the congregation to be open to joy and to plan for joy during this holiday season. After all, if you have a lot of joy within you, then you have a lot of joy to give to others!
I invite you to come and celebrate the joy of Christmas in the coming weeks. This week, our children will be leading us in worship, along with a wonderful presentation which they have been working on for weeks. On Christmas Eve, we will celebrate the birth of Christ by sharing the Christmas story and singing carols. On Christmas Day, we will celebrate Christ’s birth with Holy Communion. Please join us…and bring a friend!
Aloha nui!
Kahu Alan Akana
“A Message from Kahu Alan Akana” is provided most weeks by the Kahu (Pastor) of Koloa Union Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference.
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