Glittering Christmas Evening…

Glittering Christmas Evening…

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 minutes of Rudram chanting, with a drama presentation entitled ‘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 healing. Serving thus, without finding his ‘Destination’ Arteban thus continuously 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 Danielle 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 ever since, guiding her both in her personal and professional life. Closely associated with the Sri Sathya Sai Book Centre Of America, Rita is a Science teacher by profession.

Tom Lahey 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 Danielle from the US who had the privilege of introducing the evening programme to the august audience, chose to  introduce himself as the husband of the first speaker, Rita Danielle. Rita references about her husband in her speech, briefing the miraculous story of their marriage as orchestrated by Bhagawan through a dream.  Narrating the story 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.

The three-day Christmas celebrations conclude tomorrow with the International Children Choir.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

-Devotional India

Glittering Christmas Evening