Christmas Message

Received the salutations sent by you, the drops of love contained in them have cooled and soothed Sai's Heart.

For ‘Kaaranajanmaas’ (people born with a mission), the days on which they take up the physical body should not alone be identified as their birthdays. Such days are birthdays only for the physical body. In fact there are no births for that which is divine and sacred. The ‘Kaaranajanmaas’ take up a body in order to fulfil a purpose. They proclaim and propagate the highest ideals. It is only when we put these principles into practice in our own lives and experience them, that we can say we have shown our sense of gratitude to them.

All, are undoubtedly messengers. Everyone should experience, enjoy and spread the gospel and glory of God to others in the world. When you do this, you can say, "I am the Messenger of God." Then, you should install the Master in the altar of your heart. You can very well say, "I am the Son of God." You become near and dear to the Lord. You should let your love be enveloped in God's Love and your heart merged in God's Heart. This, indeed, is the close stage, when, on the Atmic plane, you get the conviction (born out of experience) that He and you are one and the same. This stage confirms the truth of the statement, "I and my Father are One." Then one can experience identity with the Father.

The three stages are therefore: on the physical plane, you are the messenger; on the mental plane, you are the son; and lastly on the Atmic plane, you and He are one. The day you understand the significance of these statements and translate them into your own lives and experience them, then you will get the right to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Celebrations of His birthday does not consist of merely decorating the Christmas tree, lighting the candles and singing carols.

Obeying implicitly Sai's commands and injunctions constitute the first stage. Then you should transmit these to others, thereby establishing a link with the very embodiment of Love in your heart, and at the heart level. This signifies the establishment of a final relationship between yourself and the Master, who thus becomes the Father. You now secure the right to consider Him to be the Lord, the overseer, the recipient and your everything. Gradually after this, you will come to a stage where spontaneously you become one with Him. He will become one with you and all will be His. Now, there is only one kingdom, there is only one throne (seat), and only that (kind of) love is verily God. 

You should experience the sweetness of that Love. Truly that Love is the Blood of God, which the wine represents. Then the muscles (body), which God uses selflessly for service, is symbolised by the bread. When this ‘blood’ and ‘body’, are used together, you will understand what Jesus referred to as wine and bread.

The intoxicant wine which inebriates a person with worldly affairs and causes desires in him is the blood. The flesh which craves for material sensory pleasures is the bread. These two should be mixed together, and then by contemplating on them as God's blood and God's body, they should be transmuted into organs that are manifestations of Divinity. It is only then that they will become consecrated and pure.

‘Blood’ should not be taken to mean ordinary blood. It should be thought of as Sai's blood. Only then will it become the offering, a Mahayoga (the royal path) culminating in Sai. You should regard your muscles as masses of Sai's Love, and utilise them to secure Sai’s Grace. Then it will become an offering to Sai and bring Him joy. This is the inner significance of the external symbolism, when people take bread and wine together in Churches.

Jesus is not the original name. It is ISA. This Isa has become SAI. Isa also means Iswara. The good deeds you have performed in countless births before have resulted in your getting Sai in this lifetime of yours. Without much difficulty, you should retain and securely hold this possession. Experience it and derive Bliss from it.

Truly for the past week, the service activities you have been maintaining in Brindavan, at the college and in the hospital, proves beyond doubt the spirit of oneness that prevails amongst you. Treating these as your own homes, you are looking after them. Your love (blood) which is Sai's Divinity and your steadfastness and dedication (flesh) which is Sai's food are indeed par excellence. You have made Sai supremely happy. You are all indeed Blessed!

O! Worthy recipients of Sai's Love! You need not take so much trouble. It is of course laudable that, motivated by Sai's love, you are fulfilling your duty. Still there is no cause to be afraid.

Sai's Raksha (Protection) is on your side and is in your heart. Do not entertain fear of any sort. Be Happy.

Yours,

Baba.

Christmas Message, 1978