Ah, Christmas: the season of social gatherings, gift giving, wonderful food, glittering decorations, hustle and bustle . . . and yet it is so much more than any of these things.
Paramhansa Yogananda said that at this time of year the Christ consciousness is especially close to earth, and more accessible to those who reach for it. And he gave a mystical explanation of Christ’s statement, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Christ wasn’t referring merely to his physical presence here. The deeper meaning is that when two or more of our thoughts are gathered together to focus on Christ, we will experience his presence within us.
So during this time of heightened spiritual opportunity, how do we focus more fully on him? First, we can try to follow Jesus’ example of unconditional love and forgiveness. In a beautiful prayer-poem, Yoganandaji wrote of Christ: “O Thou Great Lover of all error-torn brothers, an unseen monument of the mightiest miracle of love was established in every heart when the magic of Thy voice uttered: ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
Now is the time to forgive all those who have ever hurt or offended you. Realize that when people hurt others, no matter how grievous their offense, it is done out of ignorance. Find forgiveness and compassion for them, and pray that God show them the way out of their darkness.
Next, try to transcend any sense of division and separation from others. Though their race, religion, or beliefs may be different from your own, remember that the one spirit of God animates us all. In the prayer-poem quoted earlier, Yoganandaji went on to write: “Teach us to conquer the Satan of dividing selfishness, which prevents the gathering of all our brother-souls into the one fold of Spirit. Calling to one another by the watchword: ‘Love him who loves you, and love all who love you not,’ let us rally beneath the canopy of the universal oneness of the Christ.”
Then, live with deep faith in God’s constant love and protection. In today’s uncertain times it’s all too easy to grow anxious about what the future may hold. Banish any such thoughts by recalling to mind and heart Christ’s immortal words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, How shall we be clothed? . . . For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Swami Kriyananda once told us, “Faith is the greatest thing Jesus wanted us to learn: not blind faith in mere words, but faith born of the experience of his inner presence.”
Finally, try to make Christ a living reality in your life by expressing him in your thoughts, words, and actions. Your consciousness, then, will expand to embrace his presence in each moment. Yoganandaji wrote: “Do whatever you do with the thought and peace of Christ. This Christmas behold Christ born anew in the beauty of all Nature, in your awakened wisdom, in everything which wears true beauty, and in everybody who saturates himself with the fragrance of Christ-qualities.”
If you strive to gather your thoughts together in these ways, you may share with Christ’s disciples their experience when he appeared in their midst after the Crucifixion, and said, “Peace be unto you.”
May you have a blessed Christmas season.
With joy in God, Christ, and Guru,
Nayaswami Devi
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16 Comments
Dear Nayaswami Davi, you have beautifully expressed the real meaning of Xmas, Jesus became Jesus Christ and forgave all and each one in our ignorance. Now we know the way out and though we are responsible. Your call today joins Jesus Christ’s that we must follow.
I thank you and Nayaswami Jyotish for all you do for us the little seekers of God.
In advance and for if I had not another better opportunity I wish you and all Ananda members a beautiful Xmas and the very best for the new year coming soon.
Be my gift a truly forgiveness to all my brother’s and to myself.
Blessings!
Thank You Devi Maa!
I love everything you wrote. May Jesus Christ shower His/Her blessings & presence on you and all.
Mercy Christmas & a Happy New Year 💕🙏
HI Dayaswami Devi,
I often think of Jesus’s utterance when I think of perhaps because of covid we can connect to Kriya Yogis online.Because there are not Kriyas around every corner like many denominations. And I can feel the Joy when I do connect.Of course it’s always better to be physically in attendance, but online is a great blessing also. Merry Christmas.
Thank you Devi for this beautiful words. They are very understanding. I wish you a peacefull Christmas time with Jotish and family.
Blessings to you.., Gyandevi.
Thank you for your words. They really make a strong impression on our thoughts words and deeds. The words enrich our hearts as we strive to make this world a better place. I hope I can get to meet you in this lifetime. Paramahansa Yogananda has given me many blessings. I try to give these blessings out to my world. Love is the key.
Beautiful article.
Thank you Devi. Merry Christmas to you and to Jyotish.
Thank you dear Devi for your loving voice and heart reminding me how much my heart loves, and how much God loves me. And how beautiful and BIG Christ’s love and presence and is and is what fills the air this time of year; making everyone feel so happy 🥰🥰🥰 Wishing you and dear Jyotish a beautiful blessed Christmas and day🌥🌦🌨❄☃️🌲🌟🌠
Thank you so much Devi ji for this beautiful article ,so well explained the Christ consciousness residing in each one of us and how to tap it to it’s maximum potential .So so inspiring !
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year to you and Jyotishji .Aum Guru 🙏
Brava Divine Friend. Beautiful true sharing of Christ Consciousness – God to God, disciple to disciple, Friend to Friend. Aum Christ Aum Guru Aum
Dear Devi,
I am grateful for Yogananda’s teachings about Jesus and what you shared about him in the blog. My previous experiences with the teachings about Jesus were definitely fear based and I turned away. Ananda’s teachings of Jesus reopened my heart to his true message to us all.
I want to thank you and Jyotish for all you give to our family of Gurubai’s. I appreciate the calendar that was sent out for next year. Have a joy filled holiday season!
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you for your words. They really make a strong impression on our thoughts words and deeds. The words enrich our hearts as we strive to make this world a better place. I hope I can get to meet you in this lifetime. Paramahansa Yogananda has given me many blessings. I try to give these blessings out to the circle I was born in and also to the world during this pandemic. Love is the key.
Thank you for my divine sister Devi for your very good write-up on the occasion of Christmas, which is just round the corner. The quotes in the write-up are really ennobling.
Dear Nayaswami Devi ji,
Happy Christmas!
Thank you for sharing this inspiring blog.
Enjoyed reading it and the interpretation of two or more thoughts was inspiring!
With His grace will put this teaching in to practice.
Joy,
Prem
Respected Mataji,
Very rightful postings. Actually when we think Him truly our thnikings are connected with him and virtues like forgiveness, love everything are bloomed by His blessings.
Thank you very much Mataji.
Indranath Sinha
Kolkata
West Bengal
Thank you. This is the second day I’ve meditated with the live cam from Jerusalem at the western wall.
Presence is amazing.