25 Dec 2018, Amritapuri – Xmas celebrations
As every year, Christmas at Amritapuri ashram was a very memorable and festive occasion. Devotees from all over the world joined in the celebration and cultural presentations in Ammas presence.
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The evening programme started with a traditional German Christmas charol. Amma’s international little children and teenagers then showcased a scene from Jesus’ life through music and dance. After a traditional Chinese dance a much applauded mime story was presented, narrating the story of an old man, who was trying to remember his childhood days and regain an innocent heart. Various Ashram children presented a dance depicting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The cultural programme culminated in the singing of the song “Silent Night” and a musical drama about love and compassion, ending with a powerful gospel rendition.
In her Christmas message, Amma said: “Today, our spiritual values are drowning in a flood of external comfort and pleasure. Rather than celebrating Christmas in worship, people prefer to indulge in the external celebrations. This Christmas, it might be good to reflect on a few things such as “How many good actions was I able to do in God’s name during the past year? How many people’s tears was I able to wipe? Were my actions able to bring a little light into a few lives?” We should spend some time in such self-reflection. “This past year, when people told me of their sorrows, did I spare a little time to listen to them? Were my words able to bring them comfort?” We should do some inner reflection. “Of the 24 hours given to us each day, was I able to spare at least one hour to help selflessly?” In this manner, we can transform ourselves into real human beings.”
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In the spirit of Christmas, Amma sang the english song “Only love”: “Only love is our guiding light, only love can heal and unite, only love shines so bright, only love can end this night”. Soon after, she cheered the crowd with a rocking version of Mata Rani.
After a prayer and mediation for World Peace, Amma followed another Xmas tradition at Amritapuri: Blessing chocolate cake, which was distributed as prasad (blessed gift) to one and all, reminding us of the sweetness that comes with Divine Love.
-Dass