As a gift for this Christmas and for the time approaching New Year's Day, a friend sent us these words, spoken on Christmas 1977 by Swami Kripalu, a teacher of yoga and meditation from Dabhoi, India, when he was visiting Western Massachusetts as a teacher in residence for a few years during the 1970's:

"Holy Christ is one of the great light bearers of the world and his birth is celebrated by millions of people. This is because he was the light. He lived the light and came to spread the light and even today he is still radiating that light.

"In honor of the birth of holy Christ, plant one seed of virtue. There are many virtues, but love is the highest. Just as lifting one flower of a garland, the whole garland is lifted, so also, by lifting the flower of love, the whole garland of virtues comes to us. Wherever there is love, there is God. Wherever there is love, there is peace and happiness.

"We are all sisters and brothers. We belong to the same family. If we cannot love others, we aren’t following religion, but the illusion of religion. True religion teaches the oneness of all. If there is no unity, no love, no harmony, how can there be religion? Separation is irreligious.

"When the wonderful tree of love grows within us, our language, eyes and actions are transformed and those who come in contact with us feel loved. This is the best Christmas present we can give to others."

Additional reflections from Swami Kripalu can be found in the compilation by John Mundahl, "A Sunrise of Joy, the Lost Darshans of Swami Kripalu"