Southern Europe Music Programme

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

South European countries Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina started the Christmas Celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam with a musical feast this evening. The songs were sung in their local languages as well as English. However the biggest treat was the beginning and ending of the ten song programme which were sung in the Divine Language of the Avatar, Telugu.

After the Music Programme, as encouraged by Bhagawan in previous years, they also sung Bhajans. Clothes were distributed to all the participants and Prasadam was shared with the assembly on this sweet occasion. “Christmas is coming to town…”

Christmas Fervour in Prasanthi Nilayam…

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

With a week to go for the Christmas Day, Prasanthi is slowly catching up with Christmas fervour. A sizeable number of devotees have already arrived and the number is expected to swell in the run up to the festive day.

Christmas decorations that form an integral part of the festivity in Prasanthi is gradually showing up with colourful decor at vantage points, and devotees from Croatia are tirelessly working on the theme, with dedication and devotion, to make it Divinely beautiful. Boundary wall fencing of the Divine Abode, Yajur Mandir and the area behind the Prasanthi Mandir have already been deocrated with colourful white serial lightings, while the Western Canteen has been lit with bright colours looking like a landing strip for Santa and his reindeer.

Braving Prasanthi’s Christmas winter, hundreds of choristers from many overseas countries are busily engaged in rehearsing the Christmas Choir scheduled for the festive evening.

While the Children Choir for the Christmas Eve, conducted by Alma Badings, is getting on with its hectic rehearsal sessions, a group of musicians from the Croatian Choir is also perfecting its tunes for the scheduled programme, on the 20th evening.

The signs of Christmas are all around inspiring Prasanthi to sing the Carol, “Do you see what I see? what I see… what I see…”

Christmas Season begins in Prasanthi Nilayam

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

Devotees from Croatia who have been given the opportunity to decorate Prasanthi Nilayam have begun the task with enthusiasm. Western Canteen and the pathway opposite to it has been lit with bright colours looking like a landing strip for Santa and his reindeer.  The signs of Christmas are all around inspiring us to sing the Carol, “Do you see what I see? what I see… what I see…”

Come back for more Christmas updates on this page

Fri, Dec 24, 2010: Today is Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, the night that heralded the Advent of Jesus Christ. For those seekers of Jesus, those seekers of Truth who knows "Sathya", this is the occasion to rejoice 'the advent'; for them who are missing the action, physically in Prasanthi, it will be difficult to fill the void of not being in Prasanthi and it is time for sheer nostalgia! Christmas Eve in Prasanthi Nilayam is distinctive over the years with a unique choir comprising representation of 'United Nations' singing His glory in presence of The One Who could be called the 'Creator' or 'Originator' of Christmas. The Overseas Choir has been a part of the Christmas celebrations for over a decade ever since Bhagawan given the mantle to a former US School Teacher by name Sylvia Alden to conduct the show.

Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

Dressed up in pristine white, over 750 choristers, 216 gents and 556 ladies, with over fifty musicians among them, had occupied the centre-block of the Mandir well in advance of the commencement of the proceedings in the scheduled evening. An early entry and Bhagawan was in the midst at 1800 hrs., arrived in His car. Moving on, blessing the concourse, Bhagawan was seen tossing Vibhuti packets to devotees at random.

Coming on to the dais Bhagawan blessed some of the seniors from the Christmas group, including John Behner, with Vibhuti prasadam. Bhajans continued until 1830 hrs. when Bhagawan blessed John Behner before lighting the lamp officially inaugurating the programme.

 The Choir Conductor Sylvia Alden turned up on stage and after a few minutes of interaction, Bhagawan 'green-signalled' the Conductor to commence the Choir.

Three perfect Omkars from over 750 western choristers followed by Ganesha invocation, "Ganaanaam Twa..." and the Choir was on! Bhagawan sat through listening to the choristers singing the glory of the Lord and after forty minutes, with the 12th hymn completed, Bhagawan asked for Mangala Arathi.

Blessed Prasadam was distributed in between and post Arathi, in a most unexpected move, Bhagawan moved down the aisle posing for photographs with the group. The Choristers were ecstatic as Bhagawan allowed them to converge in a semi-circle around Him, being the centre-point, and hundreds of faces were beaming the joy of being in close proximity.  At 1920 hrs. Bhagawan got into His car retiring to Yajur Mandiram.

Sat, Dec 25, 2010: In Parthi every event and every festivity is defined with Bhagawan being the centre-point. 'His Presence' is the big thing and every festivity gets its due importance only when He makes Himself available for the occasion.

Following the Christmas Eve when the Christmas day dawned the focus of attention was unto Him and His presence. In the evening there was high expectation in the air and Sai Kulwant was ready with festive exuberance to receive the Lord! Apart from the official Christmas 2010 schedule by SSSSO, Overseas, an Italian Orchestra was also scheduled for the eventful evening.

In the Sai Kulwant Hall, every inch of available space was packed with devotees. Leading to the schedule, bhajans played soulful tunes clocking to the "Divine Hour".

At 650 hrs. the Divine Carrier, Toyota Porte AP02N9000 appeared at the entrance, carrying The Lord clad in yellow. First round of darshan was followed by another 'bonus' round and the surge of devotees was ecstatic. Many who missed His 'catchy' glance in the first round ensured one in the second round. Primary School children were up on their feet, holding aloft their Christmas Greetings, trying to win Divine attention.

Coming on to the Verandah through the western slope at the gents' side, Bhagawan, upon alighting, went for a round of upper verandah and was seen blessing many, tossing Vibhuti packets. Soon Bhagawan blessed an array of Christmas cakes before coming on to the dais at 1920 hrs.

Evening proceedings began with International Christmas Committee Chairman John Behner addressing the assembly. Thanking Bhagawan for His bounteous love, offering Christmas greetings to one and all, Behner introduced the two speakers for the evening. The speakers were Kirsten Pruzan, a Danish Journalist and Cass Smith, a musician and spiritual healer from the US.

Ms. Pruznan spoke gracefully, sharing her personal experience of the 'Divine Pull' that brought her to Parthi for the first time. Elaborating on the omnipresence shown by Swami at her Danish home, she narrated a wonderful experience wherein her husband, Prof. Pruznan, was saved by Bhagawan, from being taken as a hostage after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, while returning from Parthi.

Cass Smith spoke of His Love quoting Samuel Sandweiss from his famous book, Sai Baba, The Holy Man and Psychiatrist. A musician by himself, Smith strummed his guitar to produce three gems of musical pieces, concluding with the popular song, "I keep feeling your love...". He also narrated a wonderful experience, that happened at Brindavan, sharing how Bhagawan miraculously cured him of an 'ear-mishap'.

A "Christmas in Sai Love" was the theme for the concert by a group of Italians led by Sonja Venturi along with Sergio Vigagni, Evige Fontana, Dalliah Gutman, Bruno Pratico etc. and a set of musical scorers. As they took over after receiving Divine Blessings, music flowed with bhajans tuned in western style echoing the Sai Kulwant Hall. Beginning with thee Omkars, salutations to Lord Ganesha and Twameva Matha, Sonja Venturi produced a scintillating Mukunda Murari, styled in west, to the amusement of Bhagawan and the capacity audience. Audience clapped after every song as the Italians went on singing for the next fifty minutes. A beethoven medley, a couple of italian numbers, White Christmas etc. were followed by a combined song, Happy X Mas as grand finale. The whole programme was organised by senior Italian devotees Luigi Ferrante and Anna Bruno.

Post the musical session, Bhagawan called the singers and musicians one after one on stage, showering blessings. A second round of blessing ensued when the four ladies in the group were again called on stage, one after one, to receive prasadam from the Divine Hands. A group of tiny tots also came on stage receiving prasadam from the Divine Hands. In the meanwhile, Prasadam went for distribution to the audience.As Bhagawan sat through, one of the ashram photographers went up to Bhagawan showing Him Christmas decorations in print. Being the Senior Hostel Anniversary, a group of students from the Senior Hostel also went up to Bhagawan showing Him images of the 'decorated hostel'.

Mangala Arathi was offered at 2120 hrs. and Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 2130 hrs.

Sun, Dec 26, 2010: International Children gave a 'biblical welcome' to Bhagawan this evening, at 1910 hrs. leading Him in a procession to the Sai Kulwant Hall. Children in colourful costumes, representing various biblical characters, led the procession to the accompaniment of soft tunes of traditional Christmas songs.

Coming into the hall Bhagawan went for a complete round, blessing the 'biblical characters' moving at a slow pace. Many of them were carrying various Christmas paraphernalias that were blessed by Bhagawan while on the move.

Coming on stage at 1930 hrs. Bhagawan sat on for next forty five minutes. Most of the time Bhagawan was busy with the "day's mail" from devotees while bhajans went on in the background. At 1955 hrs. Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi and continued with 'devotees' mail' for some more time, till 2015 hrs. when Bhagawan left the dais, leaving for Yajur Mandiram.

Blessed prasadam was distributed to the entire audience. Bhagawan was seen tossing Vibhuti packets to many in between, a delightful scene for the devotees, watching The Lord in action! He even interacted with Christmas Committee Coordinator John Behner blessing him with Vibhuti Prasadam.

Mon, Dec 27, 2010: The grand finale of the three day Christmas celebrations witnessed little children from around the world taking the centre-stage singing and enacting the glory of Jesus and Sathya Sai. When two programmes, an International Children Choir and a Musical Play, that were scheduled for the previous evening got postponed as ‘willed’ by Bhagawan, this 'fresh-week' evening found a ‘combined programme’ setting a grand finale for the Christmas 2010 celebrations.

Bhagawan arrived just after 1820 hrs. and the hall was full. Covering the ladies' end Bhagawan's car took a detour moving out, only to return after ninety minutes.  Coming on stage, initial blessings followed before the commencement of the programme. John Behner, International Christmas Committee Coordinator along with Alma Badings, the Choir Conductor from the Netherlands and the Drama Director Victoria Hargreaves from the US took blessings.

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The Programme entitled ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ was an enactment of the life of Jesus Christ. Set against the backdrop of a Christian home in the thick of Christmas celebrations, the presentation was centred around a little boy, Billy, who, having lost faith, was disinterested in the whole of the festive affair. His Family got into prayer mode seeking Swami’s intervention and in response came Billy’s Guardian Angel and the Spirit of the Past, taking the boy to Bethlehem to the times of Jesus.

The boy was to witness the most sacred of the lives, that of Jesus! The Spirit of the Past took him to the lively scenes prior to the birth of Jesus, Baby Jesus in the Manger and his growing up into a man teachings and preachings as a guiding star. The boy was overjoyed, having witnessed the ‘life of the past master’. Adding to his joy, Spirit of the Present joined Billy introducing him to his Guardian Angel. …And it was time for the big ‘initiation’. Guardian Angel shared with the little one about Sathya Sai Baba and His Teachings. Leading the boy unto the precincts of Prasanthi Nilayam, he was given further enlightenment on “unity in diversity” and “Fatherhood of God”.

Finally the ‘dream run’ ended and Billy woke up to the Christmas morning. Faith was restored and Billy was transformed! ...and Billy vowed to Love and Serve everyone with a prayer to The Lord to "bless us, bless everyone!"

Soon Bhagawan moved down the dais to pose with the children. Coming on stage, Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi. "Samastha Lokaaha..." was repeated yet again for a second time at His special instance and blessing the concourse Bhagawan left the dais, retiring to Yajur Mandiram just after 2100 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire audience.

Earlier in the morning, as part of the Christmas celebrations, a Multi-Faith Worship Programme was organised at the double decker building, next to the Book Centre. Titled as "We Are One", the programme had representation from all major religions, namely, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Zoroastrianism etc. Presided over by Fr. Charles Ogada of Nigeria, donning the mantle of Master of Ceremonies, the programme that had good turnout of devotees had light meditation session, Universal Prayer, Holy Communion and Prasad distribution.