THE SRI SATHYA SAI BABA ORGANISATION extends loving wishes of goodwill to all Barbadians on the sacred occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Christ.
Christmas is mainly celebrated by Christians, but do not make the mistake that it is only for Christians. It is a holy and happy occasion to be celebrated by all mankind.
Jesus sacrificed His life and poured out His blood to instil love and compassion in the heart of humans so that they may be happy when others are happy and sad when others are sad.
It is not by festivity and fun that you should celebrate Christmas. Celebrate it, rather, by resolving and putting into practice at least one of the ideals He enunciated, or endeavouring to reach at least one of the goals that He placed before humans.
The Divine manifests Himself in many forms. Ornaments are varied but gold is one; religions are varied but their basic spiritual truth is the same.
The primary duty of human beings is to recognise that the paths indicated by different religions have the same goal. Love, sacrifice, compassion, morality, integrity and similar qualities are common to all religions in their basic teachings, but few people try to understand the inner importance of religions.
Out of a narrow feeling that one’s own religion is superior and other faiths are inferior, members of different religions are developing hatred towards members of other faiths and acting like demons.
The foremost need today is for everyone to realise that God is One. This is what Jesus proclaimed. Jesus Christ proclaimed the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of human.
Strive for purity
What we must strive for today is not a new religion or a new society or a new code of morality. They are there already in each race and country.
We need people who have attained purity at all levels of consciousness. We need people who can recognise and relish the recognition of the kinship and the identity between human beings, as well as between one society and another. They have to move beyond the bounds of the limited “I” and break loose from the entanglements of the senses. They have to jump over the battlements of the fort called “body” and enter enthusiastically the wide world beyond.
When a drop of water falls into the ocean, it loses its narrow individualities, its name and form, and assumes the form, name and taste of the ocean itself. If it seeks to live separately as a “drop”, it will soon evaporate and be reduced to non-existence.
Each one must become aware that he/she is part of the one truth that encompasses everything in the universe. Love wears the mantle of truth. And one wedded to truth is ever young and vigorous.
The Upanishads have declared that the votary of truth will not know old age. The Bible declares that the body gets fortified by adherence to truth. Truth should not be confined to speech. It must express itself in action.
Christ told His followers the following parable: In a river the water is flowing in a swift current. But even the tiny fish are able to swim in it and move about merrily. In the same river, a huge elephant caught in the rapids is likely to get washed away or drowned in spite of its enormous size. Whatever the speed of the current, the small fish are able to swim freely in the river and enjoy themselves. But an elephant is unable to survive in it. You need for survival in a river the ability to swim. Likewise, humans who are caught up in the ocean of worldly existence need not so much metaphysics, scholarship or detachment, as the grace of divine love.
Jesus taught that God is love. St Paul, who was originally an inveterate critic of Jesus, was transformed by Christ’s love into the greatest apostle of Jesus. (Instead of recognising this basic truth, people are allowing hatred, envy and other evil qualities to pollute their love).
In The Bible it is recorded that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. When they asked Him why He was doing so, Jesus answered: “I am washing your feet as your servant so that you may learn to serve the world.”
Common characteristic
Two different characteristics are to be found among people. One characteristic, which is rather common, is for a person to delude himself/herself that he/she is good, with intelligence, talent and many virtues. The other quality, which is rare, is recognition of the good in others, their merits, abilities and good deeds.
Jesus belonged to the second category. He saw the good qualities in others, rejoiced over their virtues and shared His joy with others. Jesus Christ taught that the body should be used for recognising the indwelling spirit.
As Jesus went on with His preaching and drew multitudes towards Him, some of the priests and those in authority grew envious at such popularity. (This happens in all countries). They started persecuting Him and charging Him with treason. Jesus, however, continued up to the end to carry on His mission of love and righteousness.
Christ’s basic teachings were related to the promotion of compassion, sympathy, love, sacrifice and fellowship among human beings. Jesus was named The Christ as he was regarded as the chosen messenger of God.
Adapted from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 13. Jesus, Chapter 27.
From the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation of Barbados Inc.