Christmas - An Exposition by Bhagavan Baba

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Christmas

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"The term Christmas has been derived from the Roman language. Truly speaking,

Christmas falls in the month of March, not in December. Since it is very cold

in December and people are confined to their homes, they utilize this time to

celebrate Christmas. Actually, Jesus was born in the month of March. With the

passage of time, this fact has been distorted and misrepresented in the Bible.

Opinions vary from person to person (Munde Munde Matir Bhinnah). Each one

interpreted the Bible in his own way. Some wrote that it was the brother of

Jesus who was crucified, not Jesus and that he was in Japan all that time. This

is all imagination. Jesus is truth." Sai Baba, SS. 1/99. pp. 5 &; 6.

 

Purpose Of Christmas Celebration

"This day is a holy day, the day on which Jesus was born. He announced Himself

as the Messenger of God. In fact, all humans are bom as Messengers of God. The

sole purpose of this human career is to propagate the omnipresence of God, His

might and glory. No one has incarnated for merely consuming quantities of food

and catering to one's senses. Human life is much more precious than that. That

is why the capacity to appreciate beauty, truth and goodness has been endowed

only on man." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, discourse on 25-12-76, p. 84

"Religions arise from the minds of good men, who crave to make all men good.

They strive to eliminate the evils and cure the bad. It is therefore

appropriate that the birthday of Jesus, who felt the need to save mankind and

who strove to achieve it, be celebrated. But the celebration must take the form

of adherence to the teachings, loyalty to the principles, practising the

discipline and experiencing the awareness of the Divine that He sought to

arouse. These days, the world is deriving satisfaction in mere words, and in

witnessing clever ruses designed to cover up one's faults. The birthdays of the

Great are honoured by such hypocrisy and external pomp. There is no examination

in the light of the message they gave, nor, any effort to practise it and

derive the bliss it promises". Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VIII, discourse on 25-12-72.

p. 129

 

Christmas Belongs To All

"The birthday of Jesus must be celebrated by all mankind, for such

'Karana-Janmas' (Masters born with a purpose) belong to the whole human race.

They should not be confined to a single country or community." Sai Baba, SSS,

Vol. X, discourse on 25-12-78, p. 232

 

Jesus' Original Name

"Jesus was honoured by the populace as Christ, for they found in his thoughts,

words and deeds, no trace of ego. He had no envy or hatred, and was full of

love and charity, humility and sympathy. Jesus' original name was 'Isa' which,

when repeated, is Sai. 'Isa' and 'Sai', both mean Ishvara, God, the Eternal

Absolute, the Sat-Chit-Ananda. In the Tibetan manuscript at the monastery,

where Isa spent some years. His name is written as 'ISSA', which means the Lord

of all beings." Sai Baba, Vol. X. discourse on 25-12-78. p. 231

 

Meaning Of Jesus

"In Christianity, the term 'Esu' (Jesus) is used to describe Christ. This term

also signifies the oneness of Divinity. The inner significance of the term

'Esu' is the recognition of the One Divine in all beings."   Sai Baba, SS,~

1/92'. p.2  "Jesus is truth." Sai Baba, SS. 1/99, p. 6

 

Birth Date Of Jesus Christ

"There are various theories about the birth date of Jesus based on the "bright

star" that appeared at his birth. It is visible once in 800 years, it is said.

Some say that He was bom on the fifteenth day of September. But He was born at

3:15 a.m. (early morning) on December 28. It was Sunday. The star that appeared

that day appears only once in 800 years. Its appearance had nothing to do with

the birth of Jesus. There is no rule that, when Divine Energy or Divine

Incarnation descends on earth, a star has to appear. That is the opinion of

devotees only. But, Jesus was himself a "Star" of infinite value, spreading

brilliance of infinite dimension. Why posit another less brilliant glow?" Sai

Baba. SSS, Vol. XI. p. 13

 

Birth Place Of Jesus Christ

'Two thousand years ago, in Palestine, a province of the Roman Empire, there

were Jews professing Judaism. The Jews believed in one God called' Yehovah'.

They believed that God would send a messiah for the people of Israel. Jerusalem

was the sacred city of the Jews and continued to be so even under the Romans.

This was the time when Jesus was bom." Sai Baba. SS, 1/92, p. 3 

"Jesus' birth took place in a manger in Bethlehem." Sai Baba. SS. 1/89. p. 2

 

Visit Of Three Kings To See Christ At His Birth

"It is said that when Jesus was born in a manger, three kings were led by a star

to Jesus' place of birth. In fact, they were not kings but three shepherds. One

of them, seeing the infant Jesus observed: 'This child will be lover of God'. A

second one said: 'No. God will love him.' The third one said: 'Verily he is God

Himself. The true significance of these three statements is: To love God is to

be His messenger. To be loved by God is to be a son of God. The final state is

to be one with God. As Jesus said: 'I and my Father are one'. Thus, all persons

are messengers of God. This means that they should divinise themselves. When can

men call themselves 'sons of God'? Recognise what pure actions are done by God,

selflessly for the sake of all. There is no trace of self-interest in Him.

Everything men do, speak, or think is born out of selfishness. Men can describe

themselves as 'Sons of God' only when they are completely free from selfishness

and become Godly. To call yourself the 'son of God', you have to manifest the

qualities of the Father." Sai Baba, SS. 1/95. p. 4

 

Enlightenment Of Jesus

"Like most seekers, Jesus first searched for the Divine in the objective world.

But He soon realised that the world is a kaleidoscopic picture created by one's

own imagination, and sought to find God within himself. His stay in the

Himalayan monasteries in Kashmir and in other centres of eastern asceticism and

philosophical inquiry, gave him greater awareness. From the attitude of being a

'Messenger of God', he could now call himself the 'Son of God'. The bond of

relationship increased. The 'I' was no more distant light or entity. The light

became a part of the 'I'. With body-consciousness predominant. He was a

messenger. With the heart-consciousness in the ascendant. He felt greater

nearness and deamess. So, the son-father bond seems natural at this stage.

Later as the Atman-Consciousness was established, Jesus could declare: 'I and

My Father are One'. The three stages may be described as: 'I was in the Light',

'the Light was in me', and 'I am the Light', and may compared to the Dwaita

(dualism), Vishishta-adwaita and Adwaita (non-dualism) stages as described in

Hindu philosophy. The final stage is the one when all duality has been shed.

This is the essence of all religious disciplines and teachings". Sai Baba, SSS,

X, discourse on 25-12-78. p. 231

"Christ spent all His life in the service of mankind. He spent twelve years

alone, promoting the inner vision and realising God. While engaged in the

service to the diseased and the downtrodden, He announced Himself as the

'Messenger of God'. Later on, for some years Christ reflected the divine nature

present in Him and came to the conclusion that he was the 'son of God'. Thus He

moved closer to God. Christ lived for five years in the Himalayan region of

Bharat (India). He settled in Kashmir and met many exponents and practitioners

of the Adwaita system of thought, which declares there is only one God. He

realised the One-ness beneath diversity, then He spread the truth that 'I and

My Father are one.' Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 142

"When Jesus proclaimed that He was the 'Messenger of God', He wanted to

emphasize that everyone is messenger of God and has to speak, act and think

like one. This is the true Karma (action) Kanda of the Vedas: Sadhana, Japa,

Seva and Dhyana. When progress is furthered, Jesus asserted, each one can

recognise all as 'sons of God', children of God, brothers and sisters of

oneself, and so. The Upaasana (adoration of God) Kanda is the scripture in

Sanatana Dharma (eternal code of conduct) for this stage. Finally, knowledge

ripens into wisdom and the goal ofJnana (wisdom) Kanda is reached, when each

one realises, 'I and my Father are one'. Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. X, discourse on

25-12-78. pp. 232-233

 

Early Life Of Jesus

"Jesus exemplified the spirit of social service. The inspiration for this came

from his mother Mary. From His childhood Mary taught Him such good qualities as

truth, kindness, compassion and justice. In his twelfth year, Jesus and his

parents went to Jerusalem for a festival. In the crowd, the parents lost the

trace of Jesus and searched for Him everywhere. Not finding Him anywhere, Mary

sat under a tree and prayed to God to come to her help. At that moment, a

thought flashed in her mind that Jesus was perhaps in a nearby temple. Jesus

was there sitting in a comer of the temple and listening to the words of the

priest. Mary affectionately rushed towards Him and embraced him. 'Child, what

agony I went through on your account', she said. Jesus told her: 'Mother! Why

should you have any fear? Those who believe in the world will have fears. But

why should anyone believing in God fear at all? I am in the company of my

Father. Why do you fear? You taught Me that God is everything for us. How,

then, can you worry like this?' Jesus had learnt His lessons from his mother

and developed His spiritual faith. After they returned from Jerusalem, Jesus

felt that service to His parents was His foremost duty, because He owed

everything to them. In this spirit, He used to assist His father in his

carpentry work. When Joseph, His father, passed away, He sought His mother

permission to devote Himself to the service of the needy and the forlorn." Sai

Baba. SS, 1/95. p. 3

 

Jesus's Ministry

After leaving home, Jesus had Himself baptized by John. Then for forty days,

Jesus observed severe austerities without food and drink. At first he

considered Himself as a 'Messenger of God'. After the penance, He realised He

was the 'son of God'. He began His ministry with a group of fishermen as His

first disciples. He taught them that they should first seek the 'Kingdom of

Heaven.' To enter that Kingdom, they had to cultivate loving hearts. Then,

their hearts would become the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus further declared to

them: T and my Father are one'. Sai Baba. SS, 1/95. p. 3

"As Jesus went on with His preaching and drew multitudes towards him, some of

the priests and those in authority grew envious of His popularity. This happens

in all countries. They started persecuting Him and charging Him with treason.

Jesus, however, continued His mission of love and righteousness, first, as the

Messenger of God, and later as the son of God." Sai Baba, SS, 1/89, p. 3

"How did Jesus get the courage to speak in this fashion? It was because He was

proclaiming the truth. Truth is bom out of love, which comes from faith in God

Where there is confidence, there is love. 

Where there is love, there is peace. 

Where there is peace, there is truth. 

Where there is truth, there is bliss. 

Where there is bliss, there is God. 

This-is way to develop faith in God  

Sai Baba, SS. 1/88, p. 4

 

Jesus's Mission

"Jesus was a Karana-janma, a Master bom with a purpose, the mission of restoring

love, charity and compassion. He had no attachment to the self, nor paid any

heed to joy or sorrow, loss or gain. He had a heart that responded to the call

of anguish. He went about the land preaching the lesson of love. His life was a

libation for the upliftment of humanity". Sai Baba, Vol. X, discourse on

25-12-78, p. 230

"Love must be manifested as service. Seva (human service) must take the form of

food for the hungry, solace for the forlorn, consolation for the sick and the

suffering. Jesus wore Himself out in such Seva." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol XI,

discourse on 25-12-81. p. 225

 

The Inner Meaning Of Jesus's Teaching Given On His Last Supper

"Jesus said that the bread taken in the 'last supper' was his flesh, and the

wine his blood. He meant that all beings alive with flesh and blood are to be

treated as He Himself and that no distinction should be made between friend or

foe, we or they. Everybody, sustained by the bread, every drop flowing in the

veins of every living being is His (God), animated by the activity that the

wine imparted to it. That is to say, every man is Divine and has to be revered

as such." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. X. Discourse on 25-12-78. pp. 232 &; 233

 

Jesus's Spiritual Work

"Jesus announced Himself as a 'Messenger of God'. He spent many years in

austerities so that He could shower compassion and love on all humanity. Later,

He asked Himself: 'Am I just a messenger, or am I more closely related to God, a

part of God with the Divine as my essence?' Jesus spent twelve years wandering

alone in deserts engaged in this inquiry. At the end of this period. He

returned to the society of men and announced, 'I am the son of God'. At this

time, the priests of the holy temples of Jerusalem had become corrupt and

commercialized. They had deteriorated into proud and selfish men. Jesus

condemned them and tried to root out the evil practices. For, all forms, in th^

eyes of Jesus, were Divine Forms. He could not tolerate any action, which belied

this status. So, when asked by people who He was. He could reply: 'I and my

Father are One'. Jesus tried to teach the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of

man. Tradition-minded and egoistic men considered Jesus a false prophet and

they tried by every means to thwart His mission. Jesus, however, did not waver.

Faced with opposition. He continued to be an example of living truth, and tried

to purify the society." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. XI, pp. 11 &; 12.

"Jesus found that scholars and ritualistic had befogged the true religion. He

engaged Himself in teaching both spirituality and morality, for education is

the very light of life. Jesus found that people are running after glass-beads,

imagining them to be diamonds and  attaching great value to them. He went round

the holy shrines and discovered that they had become bazaars where (God's) grace

was being bartered and commercialized. He condemned the priesthood, which

tolerated and encouraged these practices. So, He drew upon Himself the anger of

the heads of temples and monasteries". Sai Baba, Vol. X, discourse on 25-12-78,

p. 232

"Jesus was compassion (Karuna) came in human form. He spread the spirit of

compassion and conferred solace on the distressed and the suffering. Noticing

the torture of birds and beasts at the temple in Jerusalem, He reprimanded the

vendors and drove them out of the precincts." Sai Baba, SSS, XI, discourse on

25-12-81, p. 224

 

Disciples Of Jesus

"Many disciples followed Jesus. But throughout history, it has been the

experience of Rama, Krishna, Jesus and Muhammad that disciples, however close,

are seldom fully dedicated. Most are only part-time devotees. Jesus had 12

disciples. Most of them had faith in Him and lived up to His teachings. But,

Judas yielded to greed. He betrayed his Master for a mere 30 silver coins. He

could not find joy in life after this treachery. His mind gave him no peace. He

had to take refuge in suicide. Betrayal by people who pretend to adore (their

Masters) is happening since ages. Corrupt, greedy and selfish people spread

falsehoods about their own Masters. We hear of Judas. 2000 years ago. But in

the Kali age, people are obsessed with money

and Judases have multiplied. They seek to amass paltry riches, whereas good

character, good conduct and knowledge of God are the three real treasures to be

gathered."

Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. XI, discourse on 25-12-79, p. 12

 

John

"Vedanta says, 'Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati.', the knower of Brahman becomes

Brahman himself. John resembled Jesus in all respects, as he constantly

contemplated on Him. As you think, so you become. If you think of God

incessantly, you will assume His form." Sai Baba. SS. 1/99. p. 4

 

Paul

"Initially, Paul hated Jesus. One day, Jesus appeared in his dream and asked him

lovingly, 'Paul! What harm have I done to you, why do you criticize me? All your

travails are the consequences of your own actions. I am not responsible for your

sufferings.' Then Paul was transformed and attained sainthood. Thus, Jesus

transformed many sinners into-saints. Sai Baba, SS, 1/99, p. 5

"Speak softly and sweetly with a smiling face. That will silence the critic.

Smile is the best answer to criticism. When Paul went on accusing Jesus, He

lovingly went to him and gave a pleasing smile. The sweetness in the nectarine

smile of Jesus transformed the poisonous heart of Paul." Sai Baba. SS, 1/99, p.

7

 

Matthew And Thomas

"Matthew was a tax collector. He would meet fishermen regularly and enquire as

to how they acquired faith in Jesus. Thomas used to doubt the divinity of

Jesus. Such doubting Thomases are on the rise. Never be in the company of such

people." Sai Baba, SS, 1/99, p. 5

 

Disciples At The Time Of Jesus Crucification

"One has to worship God both in times of pain and pleasure. Unfortunately, due

to the effect of Kali Age, people worship Him when everything goes well, but

criticize Him in times of difficulties. When it was ordered that all the

devotees of Jesus should be crucified along with Him, even His closest

devotees, Peter, Matthew, and Paul refused to identify themselves. Can these be

called true devotees? One should be prepared to sacrifice everything for the

sake of God." Sai Baba. SS. 1/99. p. 4

 

Crusification Of Jesus

"They (heads of temples and monasteries) tempted one His (12) disciples with 30

silver pieces, to betray Him into their hands. The Roman rulers were told that

Jesus attempted to assert himself as King and so could be punished for treason.

Their insistence made the Governor order his crucifixion. When the nails were

being driven into him to fix him on the cross, Jesus heard the Voice of the

Father saying, "All life is one. My dear son. Be alike to everyone," and He

pleaded that those who were crucifying Him be pardoned, for they knew not what

they did. Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sake of mankind". Sai Baba. SSS.

Vol. X. discourse on 25-12-78, p. 232

"When Jesus was on the cross and overcome with agony, an unseen Voice said from

Heaven: "Death is the dress of life." The body is the dress, which the Divine

Spirit puts on. Therefore, we should not weep when the body is worn out or

falls or is injured. Death is an event, that is the very nature of the body.

Men seek the cause for death, but no one seeks the Divine source of life." Sai

Baba, SSS. Vol. XI, discourse on 25-12-79. p. 14

 

The Inner Meaning Of Making A Christan Cross Sign By Hands

You should not be afraid of difficulties. They are passing 'clouds. Do not

waver. Follow the heart, which is steady and unwavering. Unity of head, heart

and hand is essential for man. This is the true significance behind the

Christians making cross sign by hands (Swami made a sign of holy cross to show

how it covers heart, hands and head). Install God in your heart. Contemplate on

Him and undertake good deeds. Consider every activity as God's work and act

accordingly." Sai Baba. SS. 1/99. p. 3

Sacrifice Of Jesus Christ

"People talk of Christ's sacrifice as evidenced by his crucifixion. But, he was

surrounded and bound, and crowned by the crowd who captured him with the crown

of thorns, and later, nailed to the cross by his captors. A person bound and

beaten by the police cannot say that he has sacrificed everything, for he is

not a free man. Let us pay attention to the sacrifice that Jesus made while

free, out of his own volition. He sacrificed his happiness, prosperity,

comfort, safety and position. He braved the enmity of the powerful. He refused

to yield or compromise. He renounced the ego, which is the toughest thing to

get rid of. Honour Him for these. He willingly sacrificed the desires with

which the body torments man. This sacrifice is greater than the sacrifice of

the body under duress. The celebration of His birthday has to be marked by

sacrificing your at least one desire or two, and conquering at least the more

disastrous urges of ego." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VIIJ, 25-12-72

 

Important Christian Days

"Jesus was crucified on a Friday and He rose from the tomb on a Sunday. That is

why Sunday is taken as the day of worship and service in churches. Catholics

give importance to Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ, while Protestants give

importance to the birth of Christ. Catholics celebrate Christmas by worshipping

Mary on the evening of 24th (of December) and Protestants celebrate the birth of

Christ on the 25th (of December)". Sai Baba, SS, 1/93, p. 4 '

"Today is New Year's Day associated with the birth and life of Jesus. It is a

good occasion to give up the old and welcome the new- in thought, word and

deed." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. X, p. 141

 

The Christmas Tree

"There is a custom of putting up a Christmas tree on this day. The genesis of

this custom can be traced to Germany. A preacher by name Jensen from England

once visited Germany. When he was travelling in Germany on his mission, he

noticed some Germans attempting to offer a child's life as sacrifice to

propitiate God who, they believed, lived in an oak tree.The priest was warned

and questioned-them as to why they were offering an innocent child as sacrifice

to a tree. As they asserted that God lived in the tree, he took an axe and cut

the tree. To his surprise, he was shaken by the inexplicable vibration from

head to foot. He noticed the form of a child between the two portions of the

tree that was cut by him. This incident teaches the truth that God lives not

only in human beings but also in plants and trees. From that time onwards

people started putting up a Christmas tree." Sai Baba, SS, 1/93, p. 4

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Yours in sai's seva

Deepak Bharwani