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Marking grand finale of
3-days Prasanthi Christmas 56 children, as part of International
Children’s Choir, serenaded The Holy Father and His Chosen Son this
evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Earlier, this evening’s programme commenced at
1700 hrs. with a thanksgiving speech by Christmas Committee Chairman
Mr Joh Behner from the US. Thanking his Christmas team mates for
their all-round cooperation in making Christmas 2013 a glittering
one, Behner had special praise for the Sevadals, the decorators from
Australia, The Western Canteen and the Indonesians who helped
serving chosen dishes, the Choir teams etc. Moving into the legacy
of Christmas, Mr Behner spoke about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa’s
life of realisation through various paths including Christianity.
Touching upon Bhagwan’s indication of Golden Age, Mr Behner reminded
the audience of the great time we have now and ahead in future with
our chosen Lord Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.
The International Children’s Choir, ably conducted
by graceful Alma Badings from the Netherlands, began in typical
Indian style with Ganesh Gayathri, Sai Gayathri followed by “Twameva
Mata…”. Beginning with a Telugu Greeetings on the occasion of
Christmas and New Year the children sang an assortment of many songs
that included… It’s Christmas
Time…, Joy To The World…, Singing All Together…, Beloved Sai My Soul
Always Longing…, Mother Mary Had A Baby Boy…, Can You Hear The Sound
Of The African Drum…, Bambelela Bambelela… to end with
We Wish You A Merry Christmas….
Violinists played tilting tunes as an intermission spicing up the
show followed by the lifting tune of the African Drum beats to the
song “Can You Hear The Sound Of The African Drum…” Bambelela,
meaning, never give up, was another catchy number that tells all to
hold on to Jesus…never give up… The final number was a collective
wishing of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, offering gratitude to
The Lord, wishing happiness to one and all. These beautiful children
in pristine white with golden scarves ended their singing in an
assertive tone, asserting their faith in His Supremacy, singing,
He’s got the
whole world in His hands…
Even as bhajans continued children posed for group
photo session before being felicitated with special gifts. Bhajans
ended with Thursday Special “Love Is My Form…Truth Is My Breath…” in
Bhagawan’s celestial voice. Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs. marked the
end of Christmas 2013.
A drama presentation by
International Sai children from Region 8, Southern California, USA,
two speeches and Bhagawan’s Divine discourse featured the Holy
Christmas evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam today.
The programme commenced at 1650 hrs., after 20 mts.
of Rudram chanting, with a drama presentation entled ‘The Fourth
Wise Man’. The drama was a depiction based on the story of Henry Van
Dyke entitled ‘The Other Wise Man’.
Presenting two parallel stories the drama
attempted to portray that one could reach one’s life’s goal of
Divine Darshan, despite facing all oddities.
Daryush, an Iranian devotee, whose maiden visit to
Prasanthi Nilayam to have Bhagawan’s Darshan was left disappointed
as he came to know of Bhagawan’s departure from earthly sphere.
Disappointed at his misfortune, despising him of being undeserved,
Daryush was lost and out. Fr Francis, a kind and noble soul, had a
chance meeting with Daryush in the Overseas Canteen and thus turned
himself to bail the young man out of his trouble by narrating the
story of the ‘Fourth Wise Man’ at the time of Holy Birth Of Jesus.
Arteban is a Magi, a wise and learned man, a
Zoroastrian of ancient Persia, who has seen the signs in the heavens
that point to the Advent of a Divine Being. Felt inquisitive, with
unquenching thirst to have the Divine Darshan, Arteban soon sets out
to cross the desert of Judea along with three good friends who have
also seen the auspicious signs.
Rushing to catch up with his friends near faraway
Banylon, Arteban faces hurdles in his onward journey as, with one
after one, hapless and needy turn up to him seeking intererence in
healing. Serving thus, without finding his ‘Destination’ Arteban
thus continously travels in search of the Divine Being for long
thirty-three years. At the end, he reaches Jerusalem wherein,
through a chance meeting with someone, he comes to know that nearby
that place in Jerusalem a Holy Man who claims to be the Son Of God
is going to be crucified soon. Perplexed at the turn of events, even
as he kneels down in sincere tearful prayers, Arteban hears the
ethereal voice of Jesus, who called him out granting him darshan
from the heavens.It was Jesus after his crucifixion.
God, be Him in form or formless always runs after
His devotees and at the right time, at the right place He grants him
his choices wish, Divine Darshan!
The drama presentation was followed by two
inspiriting speeches. Ms Rita Daniel from the US, who spoke first
chose to speak of her illustrious journey unto God that ended up
with finding Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai as her Master! Beginning life
with rational questions as to Why? and Why God? Rita was drawn to
the folds of Bhagawan at the age of 15 years. Having had her maiden
darshan at Brindavan, Whitefield, Rita’s life was changed as
Bhagawan has been her continuous inspiration, directly eversince,
guiding her both in her personal and professional life. Closely
associtated with the Sri Sathya Sai Book Centre Of America, Rita is
a Science teacher by profession.
Tom Lahoy from Australia was the next speaker. A
long time devotee who has been into the International Christmas
committee for over a decade, Tom narrated a long Australian Story
that found him finally at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. Tom’s inspiring
speech was sprinkled with the teachings of Bhagawan and Jesus
Christ.
Interestingly, after the first speech, Mr Robert
Daniel from the US who had the privilege of introducing the evneing
programme to the august audience, chose to introduce himself as the
husband of the Rita Daniel, the first speaker. Rita in her speech
made references about her husband, briefing the miraculous story of
their marriage as orchestrated by Bhagawan through a dream.
Narrating the stoty in his witty, humorous style, Robert called it
‘his first experience of surrender’, the proposal by Rita to marry
him as per Bhagawan’s Dream instructions.
Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed next. Man is
a combination of the trinity, Morality, Righteousness and
Spirituality; Man without Truth and Righteousness is no man and man
without Love is no man, said Bhagawan stressing on the need to grow
from Vyashti, Individual, to Samashti, Community, to grow further
into Paremeshti…Divinity, bringing parallels from the Three Wise Men
story at the time of the Holy Birth Of Jesus Christ.
Bhagawan concluded His Divine discourse with the
bhajan “Bhajana Binaa Sukha Shanthi Nahin…”.
All the children partipants were felicitated;
bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1840 hrs.
Three day Christmas celebrations would conclude
tomorrow with International Children Choir.
When Christmas becomes a
big time celebration around the world, often marked with pomp and
show, meeting, eating and shopping much away from the decrees of
Jesus Christ, Prasanthi Nilayam stands uniquely apart celebrating
the event in the holiest way.
After the International Choir on the Christmas
Eve, when the Christmas morning dawned here in Prasanthi to its
solemn beauty, the Australians took the charge in the ‘day-break’
with Carol singing beginning the proceedings in the morning.
Christmas always had its fairy-tale in the golden
past with Bhagawan lightng up the day-break with His silver door
darshan, atop the Sai Kulwant balcony. Memories remained poignant
with a touch of nostalgia as the Carol party took their seat at the
Sanctum Sanctorum in this auspicious morning singing carol hymns for
over half-an-hour. The Carol party was ably led by a dynamic young
Shiva, who conducted the show.
Following the day-break offering, in the morning,
it was the turn of the students, who with a sprinkling of Christmas
hymns and stories made the morning most memorable one. Commencing at
0820 hrs., after Rudram chanting, first to come was an offerng by
the Violin Band of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School that
played some melodious Christmas tunes including “Love Is My
Form…Truth Is My Breath”.
Lifting the spirits from the slow soothing violin
to the fast paced beats of percussions, the Institute Brass Band
presented a scintillating display of Band Music next, playing an
array of special Christmas numbers. The Brass Band from Prasanthi
Nilayam Campus has always been an integral part of the Christmas
celebrations and this year too they excelled with high beat music
reverberating the spacious Sai Kulwant.
From instrumental to vocal. Serenading the Mighty
Heavenly Father and His Chosen Son…singing greater glory, the
Institute Music Band presented a 45 minute programme next, depicting
the life of Jesus through songs and commentary, beginning with his
birth, traversing through his epochal life of events, teachings
andhis ultimate sacrifice. Some of the songs were We Wish You A
Merry Christmas…, Glory To The Lord…, Santa’s Party etc.
Excitement ran high when Santa began his party, twin Santas in twin
directions delivering chocolates to the lucky ones, to the backdrop
high-pitch singing of Jingle Bells…Jingle Bells…Jingle All The
Way... The musical band ended their ‘party’ aptly singing the
glory of Father and Son and the greater importance of following the
life of Jesus, practising his teachings.
Even as bhajans continued, students, both juniors
and seniors took their turn offering Christmas Greetings at
Bhagawan’s Divine Lotus Feet.
Mangala Arathi at 0950 hrs. marked the end of
morning proceedings.
II Samastha
Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Lighting up the
Christmas Eve, setting in motion Prasanthi Christmas 2013,
choristers from all over the globe joined in unison singing
‘Hallelujah’ at Beloved Bhagawan this evening here in Prasanthi
Nilayam.
Yes, it’s western time again here in Prasanthi
Nilayam. No folks, no Country and Western but Western Carols for
Christmas. It’s the time of the blessed birth of the Baby Jesus,
commemorating the Advent Of The Son Of God and it means a lot for
Westerners… and they do get a chance to strut their stuff for their
Beloved Bhagawan.
The programme in this beautiful Christmas Eve
commenced in typical Indian style, with the auspicious lighting of
the lamp, this time lighting the Christmas Candle, mounted in front
of the Sanctum Sanctorum. International Christmas Committee
Coordinator John Behner from the US along with his predecessor
Arthur Hilcoat along with International Christmas Decorations
Committee Director Tom Lehoy took the privilege of doing the same in
Bhagawan’s Divine Presence.
What followed next was an hour-long devotional
offering, raising the spirits up, sinking thousands of hearts in the
hall in sublime joy, engulfing the whole of Prasanthi in Love and
Peace. The Western Choir had in its repertoire for the evening an
offering 18 hymns – including, How Great & Hark The Herald
of Mozart, Lord Make Us Carry The Light etc. To make sure
that they are in harmony with their host country – Blessed Bharat –
the Choir had an invocatory incantation on Lord Ganesha, Sri
Ganesha Pancharatna Strotram.
In the evening soon after the candle-lighting
ceremony, an all-white-team of men and women choristers, with many
women in white flower headband, burst into spells of singing
following finger ‘baton’ instructions of the conductor Ms Gisela
Sebastian from Germany singing a unique ’18 hymns’. The choristers
were accompanied by seasoned ‘musicians’ from various countries, who
have been continuously perfecting their skills for the past over ten
days.
Beginning with the Ganesha Pancharatna
Strotram the choir continued with How
Great & Hark The Herald, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, God Gave Me A
Song, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, Hallelujah…Hallelujah,
Lord’s Prayer, My Shepherd, As The Deer… Sai You Are, I Give Myself
Away, Hallelujah To The Lord, Silent Night, Someday At Christmas,
Lord Make Us Carry The Light, O Tu Rex Gloriae Hallelujah, Blessed
The Lord, Oh Dearest Lord Sai Baba, Ave Maria & O Holy Night, Sathya
Sai, You Are My Life to end with May All Be Happy… This final song
was special for it had an insertion of Musical Piece and a Divine
Discourse by Beloved Bhagawan, with Bhagawan assuring His ‘overseas’
children of His eternal blessings…The song insertion was Sarve
Bhavantu Sukhinah…
With very days of hard work, braving the Indian
winter, these choristers had familiarized themselves with 18 new
musical pieces – most of them in English – and many of the devotees
do not have English as their first language. In addition, there were
scores of musicians and to add a final twist of complexity to this
ambitious undertaking, most of the people involved were not
professional singers or musicians. They do it, for their Swami…with
Swami working through them.
Tomorrow, in the Holy Christmas morning, devotees
from Australia would be presenting Christmas Carols in the morning
at 0615 hrs. that would be followed by Christmas morning programme
at 0820 hrs.
Merry
Christmas!!!
President Of India Visits
Puttaparthi The Hon'ble President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee
visited Prasanthi Nilayam to offer his respects to Bhagawan at
the Mahasamadhi, in the Sai Kulwant hall. The Air India One
aircraft made a landing in the Sri Sathya Sai Airport,
Puttaparthi. Mr. Mukherjee who was accompanied by the Governor
of Andhra Pradesh (AP), Mr. E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister of
AP, Mr. N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Minister for Major Industries,
Sugar, commerce and Export promotion of AP, Dr. Geeta Reddy and
other dignitaries, were cordially received by the members of the
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.
Start slideshow
With Christmas
around the corner Puttaparthi had a high-profile dignitary visit this afternoon
with President of India reaching Prasanthi Nilayam today.
Christmas Time is in the air once again reminding humanity of
the arrival of Mother Mary’s Bundle Of Joy, Baby Jesus and Prasanthi is bathing
in festive feeling with holy themes filling all over, thanks to the exuberant
team of decorators from Australia.
Western Canteen, the hub of western block of devotees, is
dazzling, airing festive fervour well in advance of the D-Day. Sai Kulwant Hall,
the Darshan Hall in Prasanthi, is abuzz with activities related to Decorating
The House Of The Lord as enthusiastic team of devotees from Australia doing
their bit bringing Joy To The World.
This year’s programme would commence tomorrow evening, on the
Christmas Eve, with an International Christmas Choir lead by Ms Gisela Sebastian
from Germany. A huge block of westerners has been diligently practising for over
a week to make it a perfect offering at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet.
The International Choir would be followed by the International
Children Choir on 26th December, a day after the D-Day. Alma Badings, seasoned
conductor from the Netherlands has been busy with her group of international
children moulding her wards for a perfect show. Christmas week would be also
featuring a series of programmes by various western groups until the dawn of the
New Year.
In the meanwhile, running into the Christmas Eve, Prasanthi
had another high-profile attraction today as President Pranab Mukherjee paid
visit to the Ashram this afternoon.
Arriving shortly after 1430 hrs. the President of India and
his retinue were escorted to the Prasanthi Nilayam precincts by senior Trust
officials at around 1500 hrs. Offering pranams at the Sanctum Sanctorum,
President then spent some time in the Bhajan Hall before leaving the premises.…
The President was also accompanied by the Governor and
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri ESL Narasimhan and Sri N Kiran Kumar Reddy
respectively.
