Christmas Eve In Prasanthi Nilayam…
Saturday, December 24th, 2016
Hundreds of choristers from over 35 ‘United Nations’ joined with a ‘United Voice’ presenting International Christmas Choir on the auspicious Christmas Eve, this evening in Prasanthi Nilayam. Quite distinct from celebrations around the world, Prasanthi Nilayam has a unique style of celebrating Christmas, as guided by Bhagawan ‘HimSelf’. Christmas in Prasanthi always begins in typical Indian style, with 3 Omkars, only to evolve into gentle ‘Western’.
Yes, it’s western time again here in Prasanthi Nilayam. No folks, no country and Western but Western Carols for Christmas. It’s the time of the blessed birth of the Baby Jesus and it means a lot for Westerners… and so with the entire ‘Prasanthi Folks’.
The programme in this beautiful Christmas Eve commenced with the lighting of the Christmas Candle at the Sanctum Sanctorum. International Christmas Committee Coordinator Tom Lehoy from Australia along with former in-charge John Behner from the US shared the unique honour this evening.
There was a pause of stillness…and in the stillness of silence was His Presence, as the organizers queued up, presenting the programme at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet.
International Christmas Choir followed next. Sitting upfront, facing the Sanctum Sanctorum, an all white-clad-team of men and women choristers from over 35 nations, presented a 70-minute choir, offering 18 hymns – a bouquet of carols, devotional and prayers, singing paeans to The Divine Father-Son duo. The Choir was conducted by Dr. (Ms) Tanja Golddberg, currently living in the UK, ably supported by a host of ‘musicians’ from around the world.
Beginning with 3-Omkars and a ‘Ganesh Vandana’, as the programme flowed on, some of the numbers sanctified the already blessed evening were Christmas In Prasanthi…, Wonderful Merciful Saviour, Go Tell It On The Mountain, Angels’ Carol, My Sweet Lord, Silent Night, You Raise Me Up, etc. A Divine discourse piece ‘showed up’ before the final piece, airing His Voice all over, evoking nostalgia of the Golden Yester Years of His Physical Presence.
Thematic decorations on the Christmas theme paraded all over the Sai Kulwant Hall, as well all over Prasanthi Nilayam precincts, making it a unique, wholesome Prasanthi ‘SAI’ Christmas.
Bhajans continued and Mangala Arathi at 1840hrs marked the end of the eve’s proceedings.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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