To mankind all over the world, Christmas Day is celebrated as the birthday of the great prophet, Jesus Christ. It is celebrated with the exchanging of gifts, big family gatherings, use of lights and candles, songs, and special Christmas Day church services where one can take Communion with Jesus, in the form of bread and wine (representing the body and blood of Jesus). As interesting, meaningful, and gratifying as these celebrations may be, they are nonetheless ritualistic practices that do not capture the true meaning of Christmas. In the same way, worldwide, spirituality is celebrated in the form of many rituals. Although these celebrations appear to be different on the surface, they are essentially all the same. If we can understand any one celebration, we can understand all celebrations.
So, what then, is the true meaning of Christmas Day? The answer to this question can be found by understanding the word Christmas, itself. The word Christmas is derived from the two words “Christ” and “mass”. “Christ” represents Christ Consciousness and the word “mass” has two meanings – 1) a congregation of people and 2) massiveness, i.e. high intensity (devotion) with enormous quantity (duration of 5 to 7 hours). The word “day” in “Christmas Day” indicates true wisdom. When we collect the true meaning of “Christ”, “mass” and “day”, then we realize that the celebration of Christmas Day is none other than the celebration of Christ Consciousness in congregation for a longer duration of time, with highest devotion till the attainment of true wisdom within and without. It is nothing but the practice Yoga / Meditation. By repeated practice of Yoga / Meditation, we will eventually experience a state of enlightenment—that is, the realization that the self is none other than Christ Consciousness. Therefore, when the Science of Yoga / Meditation spreads all over the world, only then will we celebrate Christmas Day in its real form. When we practice Yoga / Meditation all over the world, then the celebration of Christmas day will reach to perfection. To show the essential unity of all spiritual practices worldwide, let us take a closer look at what is Christ Consciousness. When we attain the state of Christ consciousness, we perceive seven churches (areas) glowing with seven candles (seven wisdom centers) within the head and spine. The seven wisdom centers are the way to the “Star in the East”. The moment of moments - the resurrection of Jesus within as Christ consciousness! Such is the beauty of the practice Yoga / Meditation, which gives the true concept behind all ritual practices celebrated by people all over the world. Yoga / Meditation gives realization of the presence of one Spirit in manifested and un-manifested form. - Yogi Satyam.
