This evening, the Christmas eve celebrations began with Bhagawan arriving at 4.30 pm in His
chair. After a full round of the Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami came onstage after a brief visit to
the interview room. The conductor of the Western choir came up to Bhagawan for blessings, and
their hour-long programme began. When they finished all the songs in
Christmas Celebrations
Christmas Eve: Music Programme by International Devotees
December 24, 200
their printed schedule,
Swami asked them to sing more songs, so they sang some traditional carols like 'Silent Night'
and then began an encore of selected songs from their programme. Prasadam was distributed and
Swami called up the conductor to bless her with a chain before accepting Arati. He then asked
the students to sing bhajans. After the first couple of bhajans, He asked them to sing 'Sarva
Dharma Priya Deva'. A couple of multi-religious bhajans followed before Swami accepted Arati
once again and returned to His residence in the car after spending more than 2 hours in Sai
Kulwant Hall.
More details from 24th below
****************
Merry Christmas at Prasanthi
Christmas Eve: Music Programme by International Devotees
December 24, 2008
Christmas or Yuletide or Noel or Christ's Mass brings to mind images of snow and snowmen,
candles and candies, Santa Claus and his sprinting reindeer, Christ and the Holy Cross. The
night before, celebrated as Christmas eve, is that holy night when Jesus the son of God was
supposed to have taken birth. And in Prashanti Nilayam, it is the holy night which is blessed
by the father of Christ!
At about 4:15 pm, Swami arrived into the "decked with holly" Kulwant hall. A mention must be
made about the elaborate decorations. Kulwant hall didn't seem as a place in South India. Huge
cloth spreads with Virgin Mary and her babe boy hung from different parts of the hall.
Beautiful paintings adorned the mandir premises and there were lovely blue lights draping the
pillars along with decorative cloths. Tiny bells, ornamental trinkets and other X'Mas
decorations made the whole atmosphere festive and holy. How the entire decorations came about
is a lovely story in itself which we plan to carry soon hopefully. The large number of
participants for the choir sat neatly arranged in rows in their respective places. This choir
has a wonderful story of its own and you can read that at
http://sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/SingingforSai.html
Swami observed the beautifully decorated Christmas tree as soon as He came out. Moving
through the hundreds of Christian and Jewish ladies who had assembled for the occasion Swami
blessed all. A huge area in the centre of the Kulwant hall had been occupied by the members of
the choir. They bowed down to Swami and were flashing smiles of glee and joy. Passing through
them, Swami blessed all of them. He took a complete darshan round as blessed the boys holding
trays as He neared them. He accepted two letters and a card from the students and those
happened to be the only "collectables" with Him in today's darshan rounds. Swami moved on to
the stage and then lit the three huge candles that had been specially placed there. That was
followed by a round of applause and then Swami asked for the choir to begin.Christmas Eve in
Prasanthi Nilayam is distinctive over the years with a unique choir comprising representation
of united nations singing His glory in His immediate Divine Presence. The overseas choir has
been a part of the Christmas celebrations for over a decade now. This unique choir for this
year had over 400 voices singing a spirited collection of songs basing different cultures from
around the world.
Swami gave His blessings and the graceful conductor waved her finger-baton in the air tickling
over 400 vocal chords resulting in three omkars kick starting yet another wonderful Christmas
Eve in the immediate Divine Presence! All men and women, over 400 in number, clad in white,
symbolising purity sang their hearts out in devotional ecstasy on the Christmas Eve witnessed
by the Holy Father and a concourse of devotees from around the world that filled the Sai
Kulwant Hall to capacity. Some of the numbers for the evening included Christmas is the holy
time to celebrate the birth, Almighty God…make me aware and And this is Christmas in
Prasanthi. At His Divine command, they continued…As sonorous notes from an array of musical
instruments rendered the air, with hundreds singing in chorus, the sun in the western horizon
slowly fading off giving way to a beautiful twilight, they sang…Then sings My soul, My saviour
God to Thee…How great Thou Art, How great Thou Art…It was a befitting evening paying homage to
the Master of masters while remembering His chosen son, anticipating yet another Divine
Advent…a glorious Christmas!!! It was such a wonderful feeling listening to the overseas
devotees and seeing Swami. All sang in unison, united in their Love for Him.
The joy and power of Unity which Swami always stresses on could literally be felt especially
with the carols since these songs are chord based and all the counter strains add up to a
great symphonic effect. Separately sung they seem disconnected but when combined, they make an
everlasting impression - just what Unity does to diverse components - bringing synergy.
There was something very subtle but interesting that happened as the choir was in progress.
Somewhere at the midway stage, Swami seemed a bit unhappy that no "Jesus" carols were being
sung. It may sound a bit in the face but we devotees of Swami profess broad mindedness but
become unwary victims to narrow mindedness. What are we saying??!! Well just that, we are so
enamoured by our dear Lord that we feel that singing His glory is sufficient and it is
equivalent to singing the glories of all dieties. We forget what Swami says as, "Munde Munde
Mathih Bhinna" (thoughts differ from head to head). But Swami never allows that, for He has
come to propagate all pathways to the Divine. When it a Buddhist festival, He ensures that
bhajans on Bhagawan Buddha are sung and the same is the case on Islamic festivals where the
glories of Allah and The Prophet are sung. And so, Swami repeatedly called the conductor of
the orchestra and told her to sing "Jesus" carols. All who witnessed this were in smiles as
Swami seemed like a child insisting on the traditional Christmas carols being sung. But a
little introspection and we all realize the wonderful unifying message that Swami is sending
forth. There is no single pathway to the Lord and Swami stands for all. Sing any name, about
any form, the same Lord receives it. And so when there is a gathering of various faiths, we
must ensure that our singing also reflects it.
Taken aback at this sudden insistent request from Swami, the conductor began to guide the
choir through the carols and songs that they had not practised! O Holy Night the stars are
brightly shining and some of the more traditional carols were then sung. As this was on, Swami
blessed prasadam to be distributed to all. People joyfully sang sweet songs as they received
"sweet" gifts of the Lord. Towards the end when The choir told Swami that they were done,
Swami seemed to ask, "One more please?" They were simply overjoyed and they burst out singing
one more which concluded with thunderous claps and a sweet smile from Swami. Swami then looked
towards the students and asked them to sing. It is so beautiful to see how Swami involves the
students in any celebration that happens in His presence. It is a great fortune indeed to be
His students. And as they began singing bhajans with Aalaap, Swami sat enjoying it. After 3-4
bhajans, Aarthi was taken and Swami retired granting Abhayahastha to all assembled.
Christmas Day: Procession, Brass Band Programme, Violin Orchestra & Carols
Christmas Day: Procession, Brass Band Programme, Violin Orchestra & Carols
December 25, 2008:Morning
This Christmas morning, the devotees from overseas
gathered in the Sai Kulwant Hall and carolled after Nagarsankirtan as scenes from early
morning darshans from Christmases past were projected on two screens atop the Mandir. Later,
Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at 8.35 in a white robe seated on His golden chair led by
a procession of children from overseas dressed as the characters in the Nativity. When He
reached the verandah, He blessed the cakes
arrayed there and came onstage to begin the
programme. The University brass band was the first to perform. After 10 minutes of
Christmas-themed music from them, the violins of the Primary School took over. As the young
boys finished their performance with 'Jingle Bells', young 'Santa's came up to Swami to get
their gift bags blessed. Swami threw a few toffees to the boys nearby, and the Santas
completed the job, running around the hall. Christmas songs by the students began next. The 40
minute song bouquet was interspersed with a commentary in the form of a dialogue between two
of Christ's apostles and a young boy. Two more 'Santa's arrived to throw toffees, and more
traditional prasadam was distributed too. After Arati at 10 o'clock, Swami blessed students
who came up with pictures of the Senior Students Hostel, Christmas day being the Hostel
anniversary day too. More students with cards and birthday trays were blessed too before Swami
left for His residence 10 minutes later.
*********
More details from 25th below
Christmas Day: Procession, Brass Band Programme,
Violin Orchestra & Carols
December 25, 2008:Morning
Christmas morning is something very very special in terms of the schedule too in Puttaparthi.
Till a few years back, the Lord clad in pure and pristine white would grant darshan to all the
eagerly awaiting devotees from the shiny silver door leading to the balcony in the mandir
premises. Its been a few years since those days, but the lovely taste and feelings of those
beautiful mornings linger in the hearts of the thronging thousands as they encircle the
hallowed mandir premises singing carols. The way the Christmas processions have progressed
with each passing year has been symbolic of a spiritual revolution happening the world over
with His presence. Those were the days when Swami would physically come up in the balcony to
bless the devotees. That has stopped now. The devotees would carry candles and sing hymns
glorifying the Father and His blessed Son Jesus. Today, the candles are absent and carols are
no longer restricted to "Christian" themes as they embrace all being sung in the glory of the
single God. The whole experience represents a movement from the religious to the spiritual, a
movement just like that of the procession that has happened so gently and willingly.
More joy awaits the watching ones…this is the way to express the beautiful morning of 25th
December. True to the feeling entailed in the expression, the Christmas morn indeed was
brought forward from the previous evening wherein the spirit of the festivity was very much
ringing in….and the beautiful morning had men and women clad in white singing His glory in the
waking hours rounding the ashram and at the culmination they sang Christmas Carols for the
Lord in the Mandir. Two screens that had been put up in the mandir played clips of the times
when Swami would bless the thousands with candles and people rejoiced in that memory and the
joy of the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.
The celebrations in the Divine Presence got underway at 8:30 am with Swami's arrival from
Yajur Mandir. There was a procession by the members of the Nativity scene as Swami watched on.
A few tiny tots moved up to Swami offering Him flowers and Love. Swami smiled and blessed
them. Swami was in shiny white and the moment the hem of His robe was visible to the vast
gathering, a rapturous applause of glee moved through the entire Kulwant hall. The Heavenly
Father that He is, He was seated on a lovely golden throne and He entered the hall forming the
tail as well as the heart of the procession. Soon the procession moved on and Swami was left
back, moving slowly through the joyous devotees. The Veda chanting was on and it was such a
harmonious commingling of the instrumental carols on the PA system and the Veda chanting by
the students. We can say with surety that such a Christmas will never be witnessed anywhere
else in the world.
Swami completed the darshan rounds and then arrived in the portico. Several cakes and their
makers awaited the Lord's attention. Swami smilingly moved from one cake to another, lighting
the candles on them and gracing them with a gentle cut from the knives. Blessing all the cakes
thus, Swami arrived on the dais. The whole hall was so beautifully decorated and lit up. Swami
blessed the programnme to begin. The University brass band was the first to perform. It turned
out to be a scintillating band display by the University boys. Some of the popular Christmas
numbers namely, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Noel etc. were rendered to perfection by these
well trained students. Swami kept tapping His hands in rhythm to the playing band. The
audience too clapped in unison to some of the lively numbers. After about 5 pieces, Swami said
that it was time now for the Primary school violins to take over.
The kids rose and with wonderful co ordination and harmony played a few carols and bhajans on
the violin. Towards the end, they played the famous "Jingle Bells" piece and with that popped
up half a dozen Santas! They moved to the stage where Swami took chocolates from their bags
and threw them to the students nearby. Then He bid them to go around spraying their chocolates
on all. All the devotees leapt and rushed for the chocolates for they had been blessed by
Swami and just receiving one made them feel that they had a part of Him with them! Swami
watched these scenes from the stage and soon two "snow machines" installed on the roof of the
hall began to emit snow flakes adding to the Christmas atmosphere. As the violins completed
their performance, Swami blessed the University students to begin their carol programme. Swami
looked so beautiful and like the embodiment of purity that He is in the silken white robe. A
mere sight of Him was enough to send thrills of joy through ones being. People drank in
thirstily at His form and the eyes feasted on a magnificent supper!
The students beginning with the Aumkara, presented a most joyful gift of Christmas Carols tied
together by a thoughtful and informative voice-over narrative depicting the entire course of
the story of His Divine Advent - the Christmas Story, to all assemblage consisting of a
sizeable number of western devotees. Starting with "Light one thousand candles", they sang a
variety of carols covering all the significant aspects of Christmas. As the programme went on
Swami sifted through the various letters that He had collected during the rounds. The
programme climaxed with the song, "Come everyone to Santa Claus's Party". It was at this time
that the "senior" Santas came onstage. Swami blessed them and their bagful of chocolates too.
Then they hopped and skipped around throwing chocolates to all the devotees and students. The
programme continued after that with a few more songs. Swami then blessed the more
"traditional" prasadam also to be distributed to all. The Christmas day also happens to be the
hostel opening anniversary. So a few students moved to Swami to show the pictures of the
decorated hostel. They also showed Him pictures of His visits to the hostel with the aim of
(as they put it), "making Him nostalgic and inducing another Hostel visit!" Swami smiled (for
no motive is secret from Him!) and blessed the students. A few more Christmas cards were
blessed before Swami received Aarthi.
In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 4.40 pm. The programme got underway once He came onstage
with an introduction and thanksgiving by Mr. John Behner from Latin America. Two overseas
speakers were blessed to present talks - Ms. Gisele Sebastian from Germany and Mr. Ted Henry
from the USA. Following their moving talks, Bhagawan delivered His Divine Discourse at 5.45
pm. After His Discourse, Swami asked the students to sing a couple of Bhajans, following which
He accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 7 pm.
*********
More details from 25th below
Christmas Evening: Speeches and Divine Discourse
December 25, 2008:Evening
The afternoon session began at about 4:40pm with Swami's arrival. Swami moved to the stage and
blessed the proceedings to begin. John Behner sought His blessings and began his introductory
talk. Thanking Bhagawan profusely for the wonderful opportunity and blessing bestowed upon he
divulged into varied details of the back stage operations that made the celebration a grand
success. Making a special mention of the wonderful array of decorations made all over the Sai
Kulwant Hall and Yajur Mandiram, he said, the preparations for the same started way back six
months before Christmas with a dedicated team from the US taking the lead. Various wings of
the ashram, the special group of ladies and gents from Indonesia who cooked food for the
entire group, the Californian group of devotees behind decoration, sevadals all came in
mention for their dedicated and loving service rendered during the run up to the festivity.
Talking about the children choir and drama presentation to be followed the next day, Behner
narrated the story of young Sathya Sai, as has been the practice during the rehearsal sessions
every day to pep little hearts and minds, for the benefit of children, compensating for the
miss out on the previous day owing the tight schedule.
The first speaker for the afternoon was Ms. Gisela Sebastian, a long time devotee from Munich,
Germany, a wonderful singer, member, choir group. Talking about Bhagawan, the beauty of
Christmas in Prasanthi and the greater significance of being in Prasanthi in the Divine
presence to celebrate in Christmas spirit Ms. Sebastian narrated her wonderful tale of her
introduction into Sai fraternity. She was directed to go to Sai Baba by her doctor at a time
when she was in a critical condition. Not knowing anything about Sai Baba she was reluctant at
first but subsequently she met with a terrible car accident and lost her vision her passionate
plea, prayer to this unknown God was heard and she had a dream…and got a promise…an answer to
her prayer…!!! It was an amazing story of total surrender! She concluded with a mellifluous
rendering of prayer to Bhagawan…at Thy Lotus Feet…I hold on to Thy Feet…Om Bhagawan…Om SaiRam…
The last speaker for the session was Mr. Ted Henry, a veteran TV journalist and a news
reporter of fame from Cleveland, Ohio, who runs a spiritual oriented programme over TV in the
United States. Having travelled all over the world, Mr. Ted Henry was instrumental in
interviewing many a devotee and these interviews were published in various Sai Media,
including H2H journal and Radio Sai Global Harmony.
"We are among the luckiest people on the face of the earth on this Christmas Day…We get to be
on Christmas Day, with Jesus Himself" said Ted Henry commencing his rhetoric excellence.
Narrating the incident when he sought Divine permission to take Bhagawan's name to the United
States of America, to contribute his might as a journalist to the Sai Cause, Bhagawan gave him
a firm No as an answer, further advising him to take His Love instead. Henry said he
understood the underlying message in it, that first he should be submerged in His love before
taking His name across the world. Talking about his own boomerang story wherein through
hundreds of interviews, seeing the love of devotees for Bhagawan, tears of joy for Bhagawan
the journalist in him has had a transformation…and that was the wonder of Bhagawan. Traversing
through the Divine Wonder and His life in true journalistic perception, Ted spoke about His
all encompassing love, barring boundaries, bringing in transformation of heart. He prayed to
Bhagawan to get them deeper and deeper in to the majesty of His Divine Awareness!
And then came the moment all had waited for with bated breath. Mr. Behner requested Swami to
deliver His divine discourse. With a sweet smile, Swami nodded and asked for His mikes to be
brought. There was a loud round of applause. A brief summary of the highlights are presented
below.
Starting His discourse hailing Bharat for her glory and her spiritual leaning in all matters,
Swami exhorted that all the seen in this world is momentary and subject to change. The only
one that lasts without any change is the principle of Atma, the principle of Love. With Love
one can conquer the whole of the world. And God, being the witness, does not give you good or
bad. Everything is man's own making. With reference to the recent terror attacks, Bhagawan
said that world was finding restlessness with wicked things happening everywhere. The best
solution to counter this would be to develop self confidence and pray to God. With Self
Confidence in place one could achieve anything. Once we develop self-confidence and lead a
life of love, nothing would ever happen to us. "God is in you, with you, above you, around
you, below you". God is only ONE though He is called by different names and is seen as
different forms. God is the only hero and once we rest our faith in Him, no bomb or any other
artillery could disturb the humanity.
God is the most powerful hydrogen bomb within…then why are you afraid of small tiny little
bombs, asked Swami to the assemblage of devotees exhorting them to develop self confidence.
"In respect of God do not entertain any doubts; one doubt leads to another and multiply
spoiling the man. If you want to lead a perfect ideal life of a human being, dispel all
doubts." All of you have come from distant lands with full of devotion and steadfastness for
God…hold on with that conviction and love. Develop the deep conviction that "I am God".
As is the case always, Swami's discourse had a message for each and every soul seated in the
hall. It was 90 minutes of sheer profundity as words flowed in an endless stream from the
Divine lips. The climax was two bhajans that Swami sang instead of His usual single bhajan.
Swami sang both,"Prema Mudhita" and "Hari Bhajan Bina". After that, as prasadam was
distributed, Swami asked the students to sing bhajans. Another small episode occurred while
the bhajans went on. The wooden cover of one of the speakers kept in front of Swami fell off,
slipping down the steps. A student went up and put it back in place as Swami watched. However,
the problem was the satin cloth that was making the cover slip away. So, a few minutes later,
the cover fell again and Swami looked at the student with a smile as if to say, "Nay...not a
properly done job." The student went back and set it right, pulling out the "satin slip
causer". That was a job well done! Three bhajans later, Swami asked for Aarthi and then
retired to Yajur Mandir.
This evening, children from overseas presented songs and a musical play on the
works of Jesus. After His darshan round at 4.30 pm, Swami came to the stage
from the interview room at 5.10. and began the programme. Half an hour of
songs were followed by the half-hour musical play. As they concluded, Bhagawan
came down from the stage and blessed the participants with clothes and a group
photograph. He then gifted photo-frames to the children who sang. The
conductor and accompanists were also blessed with clothes. Swami interacted
with the group for nearly half an hour before He went back onstage to accept
Arati. Before He returned to His residence at 6.50, He blessed Mr. John
Behner, the Christmas co-ordinator, also with clothes and raised both His
hands in blessing all the devotees.
Christmas 2008 Divine Discourse
