Be Like Jesus - 6

[Guest guest]

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

mankind and who strove to achieve it, is celebrated. But, the celebration must

take the form of adhering to the teachings, being loyal to the principles,

practising the disciplines, and experiencing the awareness of the Divine that

he sought to arouse. The day must be dedicated to the purification of one's

passions and emotions through meditation on the virtues and values that Jesus

held forth. It is useless to pray just one day and forget God the rest of the

year. That is an empty show; it does not emanate from the heart. We are true

Christians only when we live according to the teachings of Christ and practice

them in daily life. Even if we follow two teachings of his, that would be

enough. Jesus said: "Love everyone." Christmas is celebrated, but how far

does one practice love? There is love in everyone's heart. Share it with at

least ten

persons every day. This is seldom done. People are more keen on receiving than

on giving. They are willing to give away only things which they do not relish.

There is no sacrifice in this. Christ taught people to love all beings and

serve all with compassion. It is only by practising these ideals that one can

truly celebrate his birthday. The seat of truth is in your heart, so the

Divinity within should be reflected in every action. You must live in love and

lead a life of selfless service based on love. Carols and candles, readings

from the Bible and acting out the incidents that surrounded Jesus' birth are

not enough to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Neither is it 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 endeavoring

to reach at least one of the goals that he placed before man. Make your hearts

pure, your activities holy, and your feelings beneficial to all. That is the

best way of celebrating the birth of Christ. When Jesus was born, he

announced himself as the messenger of God. In fact, all humans are born as

messengers of God. The sole purpose of this human career is to propogate the

omnipresence of God, His might and glory. Every man is a messenger to his

fellow men, entrusted with the task of spreading knowledge of the joy that is

being missed. If he misuses this mission and fritters away his years in

gratifying his senses, he only loses the chance. Let me call upon you to give

up, in memory of the Christmas holy day, two evils from your mind: self praise

and talking scandal. Adopt one habit: the habit of loving service to the weak,

the helpless, the distressed, and the disconsolate. Worship Jesus by following

his ideals. In this way, worship means loving others with your full heart. This

is

the only right way of celebrating the birth of Christ. The Christmas festival

is celebrated in many countries with a lot of fanfare, merriment and riotous

festivities. In every country, small groups of people go to their respective

churches, listen to the sermon and return to their homes. There are many

denominations among Christians and the members celebrate Christmas in their

seperate ways. But nowhere in the world can you find Christmas being

celebrated with the solemnity and holiness as in Prasanthi Nilayam. Only here

do Christians of all denominations and men and women of other faith join to

celebrate Christmas - coming together to adore God and to celebrate this

festival in such a holy atmosphere. Here are gathered men and women from all

countries; from Germany, Russia, Argentina, America and many other countries

who speak many different languages. Here, they all come together and work in

unison; here is a concrete

manifestation of the brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God. Here you see

brotherhood in action, from heart to heart and love to love. This should spread

to all countries. --- Sri Sathya Sai Baba. From the book "Be Like

Jesus" The Good News of Jesus in the words of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Compiled by

William and Debra Miller.