Advent 3.0: Ahi wela

The first time I went to Hawai'i, back in, oh, 2000, I was quickly introduced to the music of IZ.

That would be Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, an Hawai'ian musician most widely known for his haunting version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow."

Israel was proudly Hawai'ian, from Tongan lineage. His voice is hauntingly beautiful. My favorite songs are the ones he sings which simply showcase his voice and his ukulele.

This morning's gospel lesson of John the Baptist reminded me of IZ and his music - especially the songs on his album "Facing Future".

Isn't that what this morning's gospel was all about? Well, it is, at least, for those of us who know how this Advent story ends - with the Incarnation.

The more I've been thinking about this morning's Gospel lesson for the Third Sunday in Advent, the more I've thought about IZ and his song "Ahi wela" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

I'm struggling to ward off the coming of what I think is a cold, so my passion for writing is a bit dimmed. It's a bit difficult to stay focused when your head is full and your nose is running.

I'll leave you with this amazing version of 'Ahi wela' for you to ponder the Great Mystery of the Incarnation as I believe is embodied in this version of this wonderful song.

Consider this an Advent III meditation an the act and the incarnation of Love.

Find a quiet spot, center yourself, and turn on the sound or speakers of your computer. Prepare to be transfixed by the sound of IZ's voice and the words of this enchanting song.

I bid you to consider, most especially, these lyrics:

Fire is hot here inside
In the act of Love
Overwhelms here my body
Throbbing much doubly here in the heart.

Ahi wela mai nei loko
(Fire (is) hot here inside)
I ka hana a ke aloha
(In the act of love)
E lalawe nei ku'u kino
(Overwhelms here my body)
Konikoni lua i ka pu'uwai
(Throbbing doubly much in the heart)

Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky

`Imo `imo h'k' iki
(Twinkle, twinkle little star)
Ha`oha`o au i `oe
(How I wonder what you are)
I luna loa o ke ao
(Up above the world so high)
Kohu kaimana i ka lani
(Like a diamond in the sky)

(E hana hou i ka hui)
(Repeat chorus)