Christmas with Amma

By Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri

This talk was given by Sw. Amritswarupandna at Amritapuri on Christmas day in 2000.

Amma has asked me to say something about Christmas. In fact, this is Christmas. What we are experiencing now, in this moment, in Amma's presence, is Christmas. I don't think anyone anywhere else in the world is as happy as we are now. So, the real message of Christmas is love, celebration, participation in everything that life brings us, whether it be good or bad. Just be prepared to welcome it, to welcome both the bright and dark periods of life. There will be trials. There will be immense pain. But even those painful moments, even the darkness of the trials can be a celebration, provided we can establish a very strong bond, a very strong relationship with Amma. Because it is that love which will guide us when difficulties arise in our life, the light of love, the light of Amma's love.

I think that is the message of Christ. Christ's disciples were able to carry the love and light of Christ in their hearts. That is why they could spread this religion, the message of Jesus Christ, all over the world. In a similar manner, we, the disciples and devotees of Amma, Amma's children, should be able to carry the light of Amma's love within us, so that we can create another kingdom of love on earth.

I don't think there is any difference between Christ and Amma. For me, God is infinite and His manifestations are also infinite.

God is not a miser; He is not a repetitive bore. Therefore, if we expect a Christ with a cross, or a Krishna with a flute in our midst, we will be disappointed. Because Christ is here, in the form of Amma. Krishna is here, in the form of Amma. And Buddha is here, in the form of Amma.

So living with Amma, being in love with Amma is Christmas. Yes, that is Christmas!