Sai News: December 24th-25th, 2007

[Guest guest]

Prasanthi Bulletin Index of earlier Bulletins Tuesday, December 25, 2007 Christmas morning celebrations commenced in Sai Kulwant Hall with Bhagawan arriving at 8.20 am. After He came onstage, the Primary School violins performed for a few minutes, followed by a ten minute performance by the University brass band. Carols and other Christmas songs by the students was the concluding item of the morning. Santa Clauses appeared on the scene during the "Jingle Bells" renderings by both the Primary School violins and the students' carols. Swami accepted Arati at 9.45

am after prasadam was distributed. In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 5.10 pm and the programme of talks began at 5.20 after He came onstage. Mr. John Behner of Latin America introduced the four speakers of the day - Ms. Inez from Argentina, Mr. Sumeet Tappoo from Fiji, Ms. Poppy Hillcoate from Australia and Dr. Michael Congleton from the USA. The first two Youth speakers spoke of the transformation Sai has brought in their lives. Ms. Hillcoate spoke of the joy she experienced in past Christmases at Prasanthi Nilayam, and Mr. Congleton spoke of the joy derived from selfless service. After the four speakers, Bhajans commenced. Bhagawan accepted Arati after a Bhajan and returned to His residence at 6.30 pm. Monday, December 24, 2007 This morning, Swami came to Sai Kulwant hall as the Bhajans went on at 9.45, accepted Arati after a couple of Bhajans, then went on a drive before returning to His residence.

Christmas eve was celebrated in the afternoon session with the traditional singing of Christmas songs by children and devotees from overseas. The Sai Kulwant Hall was beautifully decorated with seasonal decorations. Bhagawan arrived at Sai Kulwant Hall at 4.40, and came onstage after His darshan round in the car. The children's choir performed first for half an hour, the overseas choir with 600 ladies and 300 gents began at 5.20 pm. Bhagawan blessed the conductors of both choirs before each performance. Bhajans by the overseas devotees went on as prasadam was distributed to the choir singers. One of the ladies who played the cello was Blessed by Swami with a chain. After twenty minutes of Bhajans, Swami accepted Arati offered by the overseas devotees and returned to His abode. The Book Trust website has pictures of the Christmas eve programme.

You can see an illustrated version of happenings at Prasanthi Nilayam in the Prasanthi Diary of our monthly e-Journal Heart to Heart. The previous issue of Prasanthi Bulletin is available here. Index of past Prasanthi Bulletins... Source: http://www.radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm