Season’s Greetings and Happy Holiday wishes to all!
The YRF cordially invites you to our annual Christmas celebration on Sunday December 23rd 2018 at the Miami ashram of our beloved Guru, Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda. Join us for an evening of fabulous fare, beautiful bhajan, and an early present to unwrap, the highlight of the evening, Swamiji’s in-depth analysis of the profound symbolism underlying the celebration of Christmas. We also hope that you will join us on Sunday December 30th at 5 PM as our Guru delivers his message for the New Year. To give you a taste of what you can expect, here is a teaser from Swamiji’s latest book Mystic Pathways through the Bible on the birth of Christ:
The biblical story of the life of Lord Jesus, from His birth to His resurrection, has been a source of the greatest devotional inspiration for millions of worshippers. Devout Christians and even people of other faiths rejoice during the Christmas and Easter seasons, commemorating the birth of Christ, His miraculous acts, His wondrous teachings, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. These mystic events are celebrated with church services, delightfully adorned homes, an abundance of light filled decorations, singing of devotional songs and hymns, festive meals, and the sharing of gifts with loved ones and those in need.
Saint Matthew provides a quote from the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (KJV Matthew 1:23) When Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, was pregnant, a Divine angel informed Joseph that Mary was to bring forth the Son of God named Jesus. Thus, the ancient prophecy was to be fulfilled.
Before the birth, Joseph and Mary had left Galilee and travelled to Bethlehem, the City of David, because Christ was from the house and family of David. Christ was born there in Bethlehem in the middle of the night in a manger, because the local inn did not have a room available. Surrounding Him were simple shepherds that had come to rejoice at the birth.
The Spirit must manifest its glory through every human being. When spiritual aspiration dawns deep within the unconscious, Christ is born in the depth of one’s being. However, in the state of ignorance, the inner depths of one’s personality are dingy and dark. Midnight is suggestive of the serene and silent hours of internalization that bring about the birth of spiritual aspiration. Only those who are “simple” due to a lack of egoistic complexes and “childlike” due to purity recognize the birth of Christ. As a result of many good karmas of the past, an inner mystical movement commences in the life of an aspirant. This esoteric movement, characterized by growing aspiration, is the birth of Christ and will eventually grow into Christ Consciousness.
Bethlehem, the City of David, is symbolic of the purified heart of man wherein Christ is born. The inn represents an externalized mind wherein diverse thoughts of sense objects come and go. Desires, sentiments, worldly expectations and ambitions all abound in the inn. On the other hand, the manger symbolizes the internalized mind where-in the thought waves are withdrawn. There one finds profound serenity and simplicity. The Divine birth in man is softer than the blossoming of a rose in the hours of the night, and yet, its implications are more deafening than the clapping of thunder.
If you enjoyed this excerpt, then be sure to join us on Sunday as Swamiji delves even deeper into the celebration of Christmas. And for those who are seeking a more comprehensive study of the subject, be sure to pick up a copy of Mystic Pathways through the Bible. We certainly look forward to seeing you on Sunday for our Christmas celebration, and, for those who may be travelling and unable to attend, join us on December 30th at 5 PM for an enchanting evening, highlighted by our Guru’s message for the New Year.
OM Tat Sat!
