Especially in the United States, Christmas has become a commercial holiday — people of all religious backgrounds and ethnicities celebrate this holiday, regardless of whether or not they even know the religious significance of the holiday. Even in my house, we celebrate Christmas just as an excuse to give and receive presents to one another…this is obviously a gross misinterpretation of the real spirit of giving in Christianity. Interestingly, though, it seems to me that the true spirit of Christmas, and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, seem to follow Swami Vivekananda’s conception of Karma Yoga exactly! Karma Yoga emphasizes that we should serve selflessly and without any ulterior motives; Christ emphasized that we should “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” So, Christmas, of all holidays, may be the ideal chance for us to begin our path towards the ideal of Karma Yoga — selfless service.
Instead of worrying about what presents we will receive, let us be thankful for everything we have; instead of pointing out the problems with the gifts we have received, let us give the best we have to offer to those around us; and instead of surrounding ourselves with mountains of material presents, let us enrich ourselves and those around us with the gifts of good qualities.
In the spirit of selfless service and “doing good unto others,” here are some quotes that really show the value of the Christmas spirit.
“This life is short, the vanities of the world are transient, but they alone liv who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive.” — Swami Vivekananda
“One’s life is fulfilled when one is able to give joy to another.” — Sarada Devi
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Bible (Acts 20:35)
“A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” — Bible (Luke 12:15).
Merry Christmas!
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Here is another quote to add to your list:
“Every selfless act . . . is born from Brahman, the eternal, infinite Godhead. He is present in every act of service.”
~*Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 15*~
Merry Christmas!
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