The Meaning of Christmas

Dear Friends,

In the Indo-Vedic culture, as in other traditional civilizations, the temporal cycles marking the passage of time are considered particularly important moments.

In Vedic literature, these are referred to as sandhi. Among the most notable, I recall the three transitional phases that alternate in the 24-hour cycle where one period ends and another begins: the dawn, where night fades into day; the zenith, when the sun reaches its peak brightness; and the sunset, where day fades into night.

Similarly, as we approach the end of this year, we are nearing the conclusion of an important phase and the opening of a new stage in our existence.

In these pivotal transitional moments, the attitude with which we prepare ourselves and the conscious perspectives we adopt as we set out to evaluate what has been and plan for the future, are fundamental aspects that guide our human and spiritual evolution.

Today more than ever, in this dark and twilight age where falsehood and manipulation are rampant, it is essential to remain particularly vigilant, sensitive, and firmly grounded in concepts and values of reality, truth, and justice.

And in good company, this becomes easier.

Sharing life’s journey with those who resonate with bhakti and who aspire to give and receive love in its noblest and highest form enables us to face life’s challenges with renewed spiritual vigor and greater confidence, thus achieving true success as quickly as possible.

For this reason, I thank you for your presence and participation in this blog, which is intended to contribute to all of you and foster an authentically spiritual sharing aimed at awakening the qualities of the soul of which each of us is ontologically constituted.

May this be another evolutionary step in our shared journey through the world toward the supreme goal!

On this occasion, I would like to offer you a reflection on Christmas by a Tuscan writer, which I find imbued with an authentic religious spirit:
"[...] Even if Christ were born a thousand or ten thousand times in Bethlehem, it would be of no avail to you if He is not born at least once in your heart.

But how can this inner birth happen?

And yet this new miracle is not impossible,
provided it is desired and awaited.

The day when you feel no tinge of bitterness
or jealousy at the joy of your enemy or friend,
rejoice, for it is a sign that this birth is near.

The day when you feel no secret wave of pleasure
at the misfortune or downfall of others,
take heart, for the birth is close.

The day when you feel the need to bring
a bit of joy to those who are sad
and the urge to ease the pain or misery
of even a single creature,
be glad, for the arrival of God is imminent.

And if one day you are struck and persecuted by misfortune,
and lose health and strength,
children and friends,
and must endure the obtuseness, malice, and coldness
of those near and far,
yet you do not indulge in lamentation or blasphemy
and accept your destiny with a serene heart,
exult and triumph, for the miracle
that seemed impossible has occurred,
and the Savior is already born in your heart.

You are no longer alone, you will no longer be alone.

The darkness of the night will blaze
as if a thousand hairy stars
were descending from every point of the heaven
to celebrate the union
of your brief human day with divine eternity."

— Giovanni Papini, December 25, 1955

Always in the spirit of a perpetual and evolutionary dialogue of meaning between East and West, I leave you with some verses very dear to me, drawn from the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita. They exhort us to Compassion, Forgiveness, and Love and help us rediscover the authentic attitude that should accompany the celebration of an Acharya’s birth. In this spirit, Merry Christmas!

"One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me—such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me. He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anyone, who is equipoised in happiness and distress, fear and anxiety, is very dear to Me."

 (Bhagavad-gita, Chapter XII, Shloka 13-15)

With affection, warm wishes to all for Happy Holidays and a peaceful New Year!

Marco Ferrini
(Matsya Avatar das)