Besides being the symbol of love, peace and prosperity, the Christmas tree is also symbolic of the greatness that everything is plentiful in God’s Paradise, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj
The month of December has come and has brought along with it all the joys of Christmas. Though it is known to all of us that the festival of Christmas is celebrated as the day of the advent of Christ into this world, yet it also symbolises a very deep significant spiritual truth of life. This festival is celebrated worldwide by all with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. On this occasion, no matter how far away they are scattered, families come together, decorate Christmas trees and exchange gifts and sweets.
It is celebrated on December 25, which is one of the coldest and darkest days of the year and it brings with it warmth, love and joy for all irrespective of their religion. According to some historians, the 25th day of December was considered one of the most sacred days and celebrated as the ‘return of sun’ day by Druids. The reason being that up to this day the days became shorter and people were afraid that if the process went on, a time would come when total darkness would prevail. Thus when the days started becoming longer after December 25, humanity was assured that light was coming back. Perhaps it is for this reason that the day is considered a Big Day by people of all religion and faith across the world.
Another significant feature of this festival is the putting up of Christmas trees in every household. It is decorated with colourful lights, stars and gifts and on top of it is a shining star. In the Bhagvad Gita, this world tree is described as an inverted tree, the seed of which lives above and the growth and spread of the tree is downwards. The stars and flowers in the christmas tree actually connote the main actors of this world drama.
The creator of the tree — the seed, appears in the beginning to generate the tree, then disappears in between like the seed of a botanical tree, and then again it re-appears when the tree has reached its full growth and begins to deteriorate, in order to start a new tree. Analogically, the seed of this world human tree is Almighty Himself who is called the Creator.
He is an invisible, indivisible and infinitesimal sentient point of light who plays his role in the mid-period between the beginning and the end of the world drama. This is perhaps the reason why a shining star is put at the top of the Christmas tree whereas other stars in the tree are symbolic of souls who play their respective roles as main actors in the world drama.
A Christmas tree is also shown as decorated with lights, laden with fruits and gifts are placed under it which implies that in the new world or Paradise created by God, everything is plentiful.
For almost all children, Christmas means waiting for Santa Clause to bring gifts for them, isn’t itIJ Santa Clause is depicted as an old silver-bearded person, clad in white and red, carrying a bag full of gifts on his shoulders. It is said he gives gifts to only those children who remain good and well-behaved during the year. Similarly, all of us human souls are the immortal children of Supreme Almighty, who, too, brings for us the gifts of health, wealth, happiness, love, peace and joy, provided we behave well.
let us celebrate Christmas and qualify ourselves to get the best of gifts from Santa Clause. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!