St. Stephen’s 12.24.25
The monkeypod tree (Samanea saman) is a fast-growing, large tropical tree known for its wide, umbrella-like canopy that provides excellent shade, earning it the nickname “raintree” because its leaves close at night or in rain.
A 2026 Christmas Message:
The angels said, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Not just for some — for all.
Good news still comes to ordinary places. Under a big Monkey Pod tree . In the middle of Oʻahu.
To people doing their best, carrying their joys and their burdens.
Today, on this holy day, we gather beneath this great Monkey Pod tree also known as the raintree — a place of shelter, roots, and wide-reaching branches. It is a fitting place to remember the story we hear in Luke 2:8–20.
The angels did not appear in a palace or a temple. They came to shepherds, watching their flocks in open fields. Ordinary people, working the land, keeping watch through the night. God chose the fields for the first Christmas announcement.
That matters here.
This land Wahiawa – central Oahu knows what it means to work the fields. The pineapple and sugar cane plantations shaped this place and the lives of many families. many immigrant families and hard hard workers people of the land.
Like the shepherds, plantation workers rose early and labored long. They were not powerful or wealthy, but they were faithful, enduring, and hopeful.
The shepherds did not keep the news to themselves. Scripture tells us they went to see the child, and then they returned, glorifying and praising God. They became messengers of hope.
Like this big Monkey Pod Rain tree, the Christmas story spreads outward. God’s love took root in a humble manger, and from there it grew — reaching into every culture, every island, every heart.
On Christmas Day, we remember that God chose to be born close to the ground, close to the people, close to the land. Emmanuel — God with us — even here, even now.
So may we, like the shepherds, leave this place (St. Stephen’s) today changed. May we carry good news into our families and communities.
May we offer shade and shelter where there is weariness, and aloha and kokua where there is need.
When I arrived this afternoon someone had left a baby Jesus in a small wooden crate manger in my office, it brought a spiritual presence and I had a moment of pause. When I looked at the face of the baby Jesus in the wooden crate manger I thought I saw it wink at me….. I looked twice – it’s blue glass doll eyes were twinkling!
Jesus is winking at us today and we are reminded of his presence, He is present ever so present always with us – He is Emmanuel – God with us… here under the big tree!
