A Christmas Message
Realizing the Christ Presence
By Paramahansa Yogananda
Do not think of Christ in the manger at Bethlehem as a helpless little baby; for even as the tiny infant Jesus, within his consciousness was omnipresent God. How else could he, when only a young boy, talk in a manner that startled even the wise men of the temple? While he had a little-boy brain, behind it and manifesting through it was the almighty spirit of God. The universal spirit of Christ Consciousness was with him from the beginning.
That is the real reason why we should celebrate his birthday—to remind ourselves of the divine qualities of Jesus, and to awaken ourselves to a realization of the enlightening, loving Christ Presence in our own consciousness. It is a pity that so many people forget entirely the real purpose of the Christmas celebration and lose themselves in the material side only of the joyous festivities.
Christ has been unknown to you because you have kept the gates of your devotion closed. Take this Christmas celebration seriously and through deep and sustained meditation invite the Christ to manifest himself to you. His beloved disciple Saint John said: “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” Then why not make yourself ready to receive him now? It is easier at this season than at any other time, for a spirit of goodwill, love, and peace radiates throughout the world. The entire cosmos celebrates this season of joy for the Light that permeates all space.
Remember what Jesus was in reality. But he came on earth as a human being and went through all the struggles and suffering of a human being and came through victoriously. That is why he can be an example for us, an ideal toward which we may strive. If he could succeed, we may also.
We must live life unselfishly as he lived it and must faithfully practice the method of interiorization for realizing the presence of that Almighty Grace within—the method of persistent meditation. Christ must come in that cathedral of inner silence. Go so deep within the great silence that you feel the one Life that pervades all creation. Then you will find the Christ Presence.
Christ is born in the cradle of each loving heart. So you must prepare your consciousness to receive him. Instead of enjoying just the material aspects of this Christmas celebration, make your heart a cradle where Christ can be born again.
Be sure that love and goodwill accompany the gifts you give, and recognize the spirit and the hand of the Father in those you receive. Give extra time to meditation for at least the week preceding Christmas, devoting several hours to divine communion on one of those days; and be sure to meditate on Christmas morning. Accept this great gift of the life of Jesus, which the Father meant for you. Do not let Jesus’ living and his suffering be in vain. He came to bring you joy, and glory, and peace, and light. These he offers to you always, but with especial tenderness and love at this holy season. Wake up and accept the Christ-gifts of life.
Christ is the joy felt in meditation. Christ is the perception realized in the deepest hours of silence. Clear away all the bars of material desire and let Christ into your heart. Open the portals of devotion and meditate until the Christ child is born within you.
May you have a very merry Christmas, and may you receive the greatest gift that anyone can wish for you—the perception of the Christ spirit in your own heart. May you feel his presence on Christmas Day and every day throughout the new year. Open your hearts to receive the wonderful gift of Light. Meditate. Meditate until you get results. The answer is sure if you persist. Love, serve, meditate.
This selection is an excerpt from The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You by Paramahansa Yogananda (Self-Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, California).
