Singing With Hearts In Their Palms… Delightful charm of Prasanthi Christmas reached its zenith on the Christmas Eve when over 300 choristers from 20 countries joined in unison singing praise of The Lord as part of International Overseas Choir this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam. Following the set tradition, as would happen in His physical presence, the programme commenced with lighting the Christmas Candle, mounted in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. International Christmas Committee Coordinator John Behner from the US along with Christmas Decorations Committee Director Tom Lahey took the privilege of lighting the lamp in the Divine Presence. Choristers, all in white with women in white flower headband, burst into spells of singing following finger ‘baton’ instructions of the conductor of the show Ms Gisela Sebastian singing a unique ’18 hymns’. The choristers were accompanied by seasoned ‘musicians’ from the Sai fraternity, who have been continuously perfecting their skills for the past fortnight. Beginning with a Mangala offering to Lord Ganesha, Mangalam Ganesha Mangalam Ganesha they continued with Christmas in Prasanthi, O Come, all ye faithful, Go Tell It on the Mountain, What child is this, Pachelbel Christmas Canon, Silent Night…Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, Here we are to worship, We are one in the spirit, Hallelujah To The Lord, Here I am Lord, Sanctus, Joy to the World, Lord make us instruments, You rise me up, Swami we love You winding up with Sarva Rupa Dharam in Bhagawan’s Divine voice. With hearts full of devotion when these choristers sang, expressions came out with beaming smiles on beautiful faces enveloping the hall with charged vibration. Even as the ever enthusiastic and devoted choristers made a beeline to the Sanactum Sanctorum for a snap with the Divine, bhajans continued that ended with Bhagawan singing “Prema Muditha Manase Kaho Rama Rama Ram…” The session concluded with Mangala Arathi offering at 1900 hrs. Tomorrow being the Christmas Day, choristers from New Zealand would be offering a special Christmas Carols in Sai Kulwnat Hall at 6:30 hrs. Students from SSSSIHL would continue the programme in the morning at 8:30 hrs. singing special Christmas hymns. Evening programme features International Children Choir in the evening at 1700 hrs. followed by a couple of speeches by senior overseas devotees. The session would conclude with Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse. II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
