Every Christmas eve, Ramakrishna Mission organises a celebration with a marked difference where people, irrespective of their religious affiliations, take part in the Christmas prayers and carols.
This year too it was no different. The Ramakrishna Mission was enacting the tradition of celebrating Christmas which was started by the disciples of Rama Krishna since 1886.
After the death of Ramakrishna in 1886, his nine disciples including Swami Vivekananda gathered on the night preceding Christmas and read scriptures recollecting the sacrifices of Jesus Christ.
They lit fire outside the house of one of the disciples, Babu Ram (Swami Premananda) at Antpur, Hoogly district, West Bengal and took the vow of Sannyasa.
Swami Vivekananda, who was the leader of the group, also spoke about the sacrifice of the disciples of Jesus Christ and the need to emulate the way of life of Jesus and his disciples.
The nine disciples also contemplated on the life and works of their spiritual teacher Ramakrishna and stressed the need of spreading a new message of redemption.
The next day, the disciples realized that they had taken the vow of renunciation on the night before Christmas.
Ever since, Ramakrishna Missions across the world continue to dedicate some hours every December 24 evening to recollect the teachings and sacrifices of Jesus Christ.
On Monday, the monks of Ramakrishna Mission, Laitumkhrah decorated picture of Jesus and the Virgin Mary besides placing cakes and sweets below the altar where candles were lit. Illuminated Christmas trees and stars were an added attraction. The monks also performed puja during the function which began at 3 pm on Monday in the presence of the devotees followed by singing of Christmas carols Silent night, Holy night, O Come, All ye faithful, joy full and triumphant led by Swami Srivarsananda.
The Sermon on the Mount from the Bible was also read out during the celebration by Swami Yajnadharananda.
A short life sketch and teachings of Jesus Christ in Bengali was presented by Swami Prarthanananda.
Prof BM Jyrwa of the Physics Department, NEHU, also spoke on the occasion.
The monks and the people gathered there also exchanged greetings of love and brotherhood on the occasion.