CHRISTMAS 2012: NEWS FROM PUTTAPARTHI
Om Sairam dearest Sai Family
What a glorious Christmas it was!!!!! Not sure how beautifully Christmas is celebrated in Jerusalem or any other Christian head quarters, but Christmas in Prashanthi has always been very special and the unique about this festival in Prashanthi is it is dominated and celebrated in a grand way from mostly non-Christian people and representing atleast 30 to 40 countries every year. This the POWER OF SATHYA SAI BABA. He made the so called "enemies" sit next to each other under the same roof. The Caste and Religion barriers which were strictly following the traditions and customs confining to celebrate festivals of a particular religion only, were given a "facelift" by our beloved Lord.
Christmas in Prashanthi is a celebration of joy and brings immense bliss to each and every one. Christmas 2012 was a memorable one with so many activities keeping this tiny hamlet busier. The Christmas decorations by the Newzealand devotees spoke very high of their devotion towards Swami. The whole Sai kulwanth hall was draped in Blue cloth with little stars. the theme "Aroha" live in Love was displayed every where and beautiful photos of Swami and Jesus Christ displayed on various places in Sai Kulwanth hall. The special lightings done by South Africa group did an exceptional job in lighting up various spots of the Ashram with beautiful and colourful lightings including Sai Kulwanth hall. It was a matter of great joy and ecstasy to walk along the ashram especially during the evenings when the whole area was lit up.
Such activities need a meticulous planning, great team work and above all His grace and blessings to be chosen to do His work.
The devotees who were part of this year's Christmas made Swami really proud and only He knows how much hardship one would have gone through to make this place look so beautiful. There was also a special "fruit display" just behind the Rama Statue where in exotic fruits were used to decorate beautifully but unfortunately due to wrong placement, hardly any one would have noticed this amazing fruit display done by few brothers and sisters from South Africa. Hopefully, the next time they would be given some other strategic point where devotees would be able to see such a beautiful work and feel happy.
The Christmas Choir on Christmas eve, Christmas Carols by NZ devotees, Children's choir and beautiful talks were just fantastic. For every evening Sai Kulwanth hall witnessed packed audience.
queridos hermanos
Om Sai Ram
quiero compartir con todos esta foto que muestra la Omnipresencia de Swami en el Cirio de Navidad.
el logo de los dos corazones en verde y azul , es el elegido por los Neozelandeses para decorar en esta Navidad 2012 el Kullwant Hall y que tiene como lema AROHA-LIVE IN LOVE.
El clima de Amor que flotaba en el aire quedó convertido en Vibhuti y KumKum en el gran Cirio Navideño y que frente a Su Mahasamadhi presidiò , los festejos ofrecidos a nuestro Señor.
la foto fue tomada por www.prashantireporter.org
con mucho amor
silvia
VIBHUTHI ON CHRISTMAS CANDLE:
Swami showed His omnipresence and assured His choicest blessings for this year's Christmas by blessing with Vibhuthi and Kumkum on the special Christmas candle kept by the sanctum sanctorium. Here is a zoomed in photo of this Miracle Candle taken from the www.prashanthireporter.org It was an emotional experience to watch this miracle from upclose and very slowly but steadily Swami is re-assuring that He is very much around, seated in the hearts of His beloved devotees.
A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PLAY BY SOUTH AFRICA:
Little children from South Africa had their prestigious production in Sai Kulwanth hall this evening. A beautifully decorated backdrop depicting Africa's traditional tree the "Baobab Tree" was already placed in Sai Kulwanth hall. The devotees brought all the props including the "Baobab Tree' setting from South Africa. This play which had children from age 4 to 16 showed the universal message of one ness and unity of faiths. The actors in the play consisted of native Africans and also children of Indian origin acting in unison which indeed was in tune with Swami's message of one ness of humanity. The drama starts with the grand mother "Gogo" explaining the need of Unity in the present day life, blending Swami's teachings. The drama also highlighted the mass destruction done to Mother earth and warned of the adversities that would follow. The play later shifted to the memorable Divine Visit to Africa and how Swami showered His grace on people of Africa and also to the Animals of Africa. The 45 minute play had beautiful songs including the most popular English bhajan LOVE IS MY FORM sung by Swami. All the children did a fantastic job and their devotion towards Swami was clearly visible in their dedicated participation. After the drama, every one were given gifts from the elders of the ashram. South Africa's contribution towards Sai movement in the recent past has been exceptional. Be it the service activities or Sai school projects, Eye clinics in South Africa, they have made Swami proud of their devotion and dedication. May Swami continue to inspire them and all of us to continue His mission in a big way.
There are lot of devotees presently camping in Prashanthi. A big group from Odhisha, about 500 devotees from Rajasthan apart from 500 from South Africa to seek His blessings.. In a steady pace Puttaparthi is witnessing large number of devotees. May Swami bless us all with His choicest blessings and let us all be blessed with many more visits to His divine abode which is second to none to any holy place in the world.
Wishing all brothers and sisters a very happy and prosperous new year
With pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Lord
R.Satish Naik