“God-realization is the purpose of human life – Swami Muktinathananda Ji”
Diliip Guha, Lucknow, December 24, 2025:
Ramakrishna Math, Nirala Nagar, Lucknow, celebrated Christmas Eve on Wednesday in a spirit of harmony among religions, in keeping with the universal message of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Devotees from various parts of the city participated in the celebrations, which were conducted with traditional rituals and were also live-streamed on the YouTube channel “Ramakrishna Math Lucknow.”
The Math premises were artistically decorated with images of Jesus Christ and the infant Jesus in Mother Mary’s lap, set against a backdrop of plants, colorful flowers, fruits, biscuits, cakes, and candles. A small Santa Claus figure was also placed as part of the decorations. The program began with formal worship, meditation, arati, and offerings, followed by the collective singing of Christmas hymns that filled the temple complex with a devotional and festive atmosphere, accompanied by musical instruments.
Sister Meera spoke in English on the birth of Jesus Christ, drawing references from the Bible. This was followed by a devotional hymn on the Baby Jesus, presented by Swami Vishwadevananda of the Ramakrishna Math. Swami Ramadhishananda highlighted the core message of Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount and its relevance to spiritual life.
Presiding over the occasion, the President of Ramakrishna Math, Lucknow, Swami Muktinathananda Ji Maharaj, explained the religious significance of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount in the light of Vedanta. Quoting the biblical verse, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” he said that God-realization is the central message of all religions and the true purpose of human life, as also taught by Sri Ramakrishna. He described the Sermon on the Mount as the essence of Christ’s teachings, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, and said it continues to guide humanity on how to live in accordance with divine values and enter the Kingdom of God.
He said, “When Jesus began preaching for the first time, he addressed a large gathering on a hill (one of the hills of Galilee). This discourse is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is the essence of Christ’s gospel—not only for the twelve disciples who first heard it, but for all generations. God inspired Matthew to record the powerful and memorable words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount for Christians of all ages and for us today. This sermon is Jesus’ longest continuous discourse in the New Testament, recorded in Matthew 5–7, and is among the most frequently quoted sermons. The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to identify how followers of Jesus should live while accepting God’s gracious invitation to enter the Kingdom of God. It answers a vital question for every generation: How can I enter the Kingdom of God now and become a part of it forever—and why should I want to do so? It includes some of Jesus’ most famous teachings, such as the Eight Beatitudes and the widely read Lord’s Prayer.”
Swami Muktinathananda Ji also recalled the historical association of the Ramakrishna Order with Christmas Eve, noting that Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples took their vows of monastic life at Antpur on Christmas Eve in 1886. He said that to honor Lord Jesus Christ and commemorate this event, Christmas Eve has traditionally been observed at Belur Math and other Ramakrishna Math and Mission centers in a solemn and contemplative manner.
Swami Ji also said that at Antpur, Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples took the vow of monastic life on Christmas Eve, the day before the advent of Jesus Christ. To commemorate that day and to express reverence toward Lord Jesus, Swami Trigunatitananda Ji Maharaj used to organize a small celebration every year on the night of Christmas Eve. Following this tradition, even today at Belur Math and other branch centers, Christmas Eve is observed in a solemn and contemplative atmosphere.
He further said that Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, known worldwide as symbols of the unity of religions, celebrate Christmas in a distinctive way within their temples, similar in spirit to church celebrations, including carol singing, candle-lighting, prayers, and offerings of cake and biscuits to Christ. He also referred to historical accounts, including Swami Brahmananda’s vision of Christ during a Christmas Eve celebration at the Mylapore Ramakrishna Math in Chennai.
The program concluded with the collective singing of the Christmas carols “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night, Holy Night,” followed by the distribution of Christmas cake. The celebration left a lasting impression on devotees of all ages who attended the event.
