Festivals - Christmas
Date: The birthday of Jesus Christ is celebrated on December 25
every year.
Legend: An angel had fortold mother Mary that she would have a
special baby. Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem (near Jerusalem)
where Mary arrived with her husband Joseph from Nazareth. After the birth
three wise men came to look for the new born, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh (a plant oil with a very strong sweet smell). They had followed
a bright star in the sky and knew that it told the birth of a special
king.
"Jesus considered Compassion as the supreme quality. At first,
he declared he was a 'Messenger of God.' Then, he announced: 'I am the
Son of God.' Ultimately he declared: 'I and my Father are One.'
You must take note of this oneness. You must proclaim your oneness and
not your diversity. Today people talk about unity but do not practise
it. Love is not to be seen anywhere.
Where there is love, there is no room for hatred. Do not be envious
of anyone. When this evil quality appears, Love takes to flight. A pure
heart is the abode of Love. Where there is Purity, there is Unity. Unity
leads to divinity.
Today Purity is absent. How then, do you realise Divinity? You must
offer everything to God without any desire. Dedicate your all to God.
This was the teaching of Jesus. He considered everything as an offering
to God."
Christmas in Prasanthi Nilayam is unique because people of all religions
join together to celebrate it in the presence of the Avatar, Sri Sathya
Sai Baba.
Last updated: Jul 17, 2000
Quote from Discourse: Dedicate Your Lives to the Divine, Prashanthi Nilayam,
Christmas, Dec 25, 1997
