International Children’s Choir brings the Christmas curtain down in Prasanthi Nilayam…
Saturday, December 26th, 2015
Sixty children from eighteen countries joined together serenading The Holy Father and His Chosen Son marking the final segment of the 3-days grand Prasanthi Christmas this evening at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam. The International Sai Children Choir serves as a voice of children around the world, echoing Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s famous teaching of ‘language of the heart’, of love, harmony and peace for one and all, through music.
The session commenced at 1700 hrs with a traditional Christmas procession of the participating children, from the Yajur Mandiram. The children in typical Christmas dress code, carrying Baby Jesus and other festive paraphernalia, marched in a disciplined order to thematic backdrop festive musical score to the venue at Sai Kulwant Hall.
After adorning ‘Baby Jesus’ in the Manger at the Altar, the proceeding continued with a thanksgiving speech by Mr Tom Lehoy, Chairman, International Christmas Committee, from Australia.
The United Kingdom bagged a special appreciation for their major share of contribution, decorating the House Of The Lord as well presenting the Christmas Carol and Drama. South Africa with their Christmas Lightings, Indonesia with rich Asian flavour, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Ashram Staff, Volunteers and Sevadals, the Canteens, especially the Western Canteen for hosting special Christmas Dinner shared the honours in the festive week, as acknowledged by Tom Lehoy.
Quoting from the famous letter purportedly written by Pontius Pilate to Emperor Tiberius Caesar glorifying Jesus Christ, Tom exhorted the devotees to distinguish between wanting love and giving love. Jesus and Swami exemplified giving love. Love is giving and forgiving and Self is getting and forgetting, reminded the speaker highlighting that God Is Everywhere… and the easiest place to find Him is within.
Proclaiming unity in diversity, practising the voice of Unity, of Oneness, of Love, beautiful children from eighteen countries with diverse cultural background assembled at the Sanctum Sanctorum under one label, “Oneness With Sai” presenting a beautiful evening of serenading the Lord – International Children’s Choir.
Themed after “I And My Father Are One” the Prasanthi Christmas theme for 2015, the Choir began in typical Indian fashion, with three Aumkars and Gayathri Mantras, and flowed on to sing 14 hymns of adoration in praise of the Father and Son duo of Supreme Godhood. Some of the numbers were “The First Noel…”, “I Come Oh Ye Faithful…”, “Ding Dong Merrily On High…”, “Deck The Halls…”, etc. 39 girls and 21 boys participated in this evening’s Choir.
Bhajans continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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