We would have to travel back one hundred and fourteen years to Christmas day in Duluth Minnesota. I am sure it was cold, below freezing on this special holy day. The mother, a beautiful woman, fully expectant, but there must have been anxiety as this was the only successful delivery; with six others who died at birth. Her father, half Iroquois, would have looked on with silent reserve. The young family did not have much money, so the circumstances would have been very modest. At that time the birth may have been at home, as many were then.
Mother was born around noon that day; as she said, she ruined her mother’s Christmas dinner. Her life was to be terribly difficult, but also filled with overcoming and tremendous achievement. She had the love and grace of two fully realized masters in her life, and the love and recognition of many, many saints of high realization. She lived a full life: a professional woman, a mother of three, with grandchildren and great grand children (who called her G.G., great grandmother), and most importantly, she was a tremendous God-woman—a teacher and guide, a guru for many.
When she walked in the room you felt the power of God in her. She also had a lively interest in everyone she met. She always sought to bring out the best in everyone and give them fully of God’s love. With practical wisdom and intuitive insight she guided many on the path of realization. She sowed seeds of the highest quality for spiritual growth and realization. Some seeds landed on stony indifference, some entered good ground, but too shallow, some found rich earth but the storms of life eventually eroded the base and those trees did not bear the fullest fruit, and then a very few cultivated the seed that was freely given into producing the most perfect fruit in God’s garden.
Today we honor Mother. Her birth into this world was a challenge from the start, but she made the most of what she was given, and as a result we have untold opportunities as part of our rich inheritance she bequeathed us. As she said, If I, just this one small woman can do it, so can you! Mother unleashed the greatest potential in a human being and attained the highest realization of God—Sahaja Samadhi.
On this Christmas Day we celebrate the advent of two Christ-souls, Jesus and Mother. Both came for the sake of humanity. Both came to awaken the sleeping God within us. Both left footsteps for us to follow so that we too may fully know: I feel the wonder and the beauty of Thy glorious Presence in every part of my being. My heart is bursting with my love for Thee. My mind and my intelligence are radiant with Thy healing Light. I and my Father are One, blessed Spirit, I am He!
Be it so. Merry Christmas to all, and Happy Birthday Jesus and Mother!