Amritapuri Ashram celebrated Christmas with an unforgettable evening of cultural performances, Amma’s message of love and compassion, and a joyous gathering of Amma’s children from around the world. The celebration was a beautiful blend of spiritual wisdom, devotion, and festive cheer, uniting people from diverse cultures to share the true spirit of Christmas.
A spontaneous gathering of hearts exemplified how Amma’s children live and breathe this teaching. During the afternoon, Amma arrived early to call international visitors to ensure they could receive her darshan on such an auspicious day.
Inspired by Amma’s expression of universal motherhood right before their eyes, devotees from Ukraine and Russia came together to express their gratitude to her. They took to the stage to sing traditional carols from their region of the world—a true example that regardless of what is happening around us, we have the ability to unite in peace.
The official evening program began later that night, with Amma smiling in great joy to watch the festivities. First was a delightful skit that captured the essence of Christmas. “Through laughter, mischief, and a dash of holiday cheer,” a group of spirited girls and a stern headmistress discovered the true meaning of Christmas. In a tale of warmth and transformation, they showed how compassion and kindness can heal even the loneliest of hearts.
The “Wave Dance” followed, symbolizing the inner journey from the individual self to the infinite, a beautiful offering to Amma for the spiritual tools that guide us back to the Ocean of Bliss. The Dance of the Waves represented our path of love, from emotions to Amma’s boundless love, capturing the essence of spiritual awakening.
Next was a graceful Bharatanatyam performance dedicated to Lord Vishnu at Amma’s Lotus feet. The traditional composition, “Garuda Gamana Tava Charana Kamala,” in Raga Yamana Kalyani and Adi Talam, praised Lord Vishnu’s divine attributes and his infinite compassion, invoking a sense of divine presence.
A heartwarming clown skit, “Doors Fully Open,” followed, depicting how love overcomes obstacles like desire, pride, and delusion. The clown, devoted to love, triumphs over these challenges, showing that true love only knows love, transcending all worldly distractions.
The cultural program ended with a stunning choreography, a blend of Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, and Kuchipudi, set to Swathi Thirunal’s Tillana in Ragam Dhanashree and Adi Talam, symbolizing the harmonious unity of Indian classical dance forms.
Amma’s Christmas Message: A Call for Spiritual Awakening
Amma’s Christmas message echoed the true significance of the holiday. She spoke about the kindness of great souls who bring peace and love into the world, likening their presence to the fragrance of spring. Christmas, Amma reminded us, is not just about external celebrations but about embodying the values of compassion and spiritual growth.
“The compassion of mahātmās serves as constant support and refuge for this Earth and the human race. Like the spring season, they infuse human hearts with the beauty of love and spread the fragrance of peace. Christmas reminds us of the remarkable and inspiring life of such a mahātmā,” she expressed.
However, Amma emphasized that the true essence of Christmas lies not in the external celebrations and decorations but in the values and spiritual principles it represents. When people reflect on Christmas, they often recount memories of time spent with loved ones, the festive meals shared with friends, and the gifts exchanged. But they rarely speak of the spiritual lessons they learned or the efforts they made to incorporate those lessons into their lives.
“Embracing and living these values would embody the true spirit of Christmas. Our thoughts and actions should be filled with enough goodness to reflect the divine power within us. Amma doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate and have festivals. However, Christmas gains true meaning only when we use the occasion to reflect on Christ’s life of sacrifice and assess our own spiritual growth,” she continued.
“Christmas should thus be a celebration of the love and selflessness within us, extending beyond just the momentary festivities. It is not when we take but when we give; it is not when we spread anger but when we spread love, that the heart becomes expansive. When our hands reach out to provide comfort in places of sadness and suffering, and when our words speak kindness and sweetness where hatred and hostility prevail, that is when heaven descends to earth. We feel the presence of God there.
“It is this spirit that we must awaken during Christmas. The resurrection must take place within our heart, allowing us to create the kingdom of heaven both within ourselves and in the world around us. May divine grace bless my children to attain such a heart.”
Bhajans and Cake Cutting: Sharing Joy and Blessings
The evening was further enlivened by Amma’s beautiful bhajans, which resonated with the vibrations of peace and unity. Songs like “Kushiyon Ki Bahar” (May the world be filled with peace), “May the light of unity dawn in our minds,” and “Kankalil Kaliyerum” (Your eyes burn with the fire of love) filled the air with devotion and joy.
Amma then cut a large Christmas cake, and prasad was distributed to all, symbolizing her boundless love and blessings for the entire world.
The celebration at Amritapuri was a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas – a time to embrace love, compassion, and unity. Amma’s presence illuminated the evening, leaving everyone with a sense of peace and spiritual renewal as they celebrated the birth of Christ.
