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Subject: [oursohbet] Christmas Story
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 09:33:22 EST
From: NoorKaryn@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear Sufi family,
Here is a beautiful collector's item to add to our
Christmas stories. Pir Vilayat's sister, Claire Inayat, has
been writing some of her special memories of family life at
Suresnes in response to questions and encouragement by friends
to tell us more about her mother and her childhood. When she
told me she had a short piece about their magnificent
Christmas tree, I offered to share it with centers and
representatives here in America. She hopes you will pass it
along to your mureeds and friends, and I am hoping it will
stimulate her memory and lead to many more vignettes of those
early days with Mur****d, the Begum and the children in Fazal
Manzil . But now it is a wonderful chance for us at the Abode
to wish all of you a sacred, harmonious, inspiring holiday
season. With you in Love, counting our blessings, Rabia
Longworth
UNDER THE KEROSENE OIL LAMPS
At the stroke of midnight, four little children
tiptoed down the massive oak staircase in Fazal Manzil,
towards the half-open door of the Oriental Room where their
sweet Amma was waiting to receive them. She wore a fine
light-blue, silver-bordered sari. Her complexion was glowing
rosy. She was simply beautiful!
Quietly we entered, one by one. Our Abba, clothed
in an apricot-colored garment, was standing very still by a
large Christmas tree. It shown with lights and was crowned
with an equally bright star that almost touched the high
fresco ceiling. We all gazed in wonderment !
The decorations were so profuse that we did not
know where to look first. A multitude of tiny candles'
twinkling flames pointing to the heavens, were telling us abo
ut Christmas. Upon each branch a tiny glittering treasure had
been placed. There were fairies, deer, baskets, bells and
cherubs with exquisitely painted faces, as well as many more
figurines in pastel shades trimmed with silver and gold. The
tree was incandescent with light and flickered like
transparent crystal.
Time stood still! Had heaven descended on earth
to offer us this gift? Were we learning the first letters of
the meaning of sacredness? Not only were the candle lights
emitting radiance within and about the entire tree, but the
tree was emanating joy ! We remained speechless.
This Christmas was the first and last with our
Amma and Abba in togetherness. In the spirit of Love, Harmony
and Beauty they had presented us "children four" with a
wondrous surprise, announcing that Baby Jesus was born in the
Manger. We were delighted that something good was happening
and we were also wondering whether Santa Claus had perhaps
filled our stockings which were hanging on the mantle piece.
In the stillness of the night, before we
awakened from the fairyland dream, we leaped up the staircase
under kerosene oil lamps, with starry lights going round and
round in our heads. Each year at this time a magic wand
conducts a melody reminding me of the celebration of that
Christmas . This one in 2004 will be the first in the absence
of my Dearly Precious Brother Vilayat, whose thoughts and
love are ever present.
For Christmas and the New Year, wi****ng you and yours,
Golden Blessings from Above, Khair-un-nisa Ray Inayat-Khan
(Claire Ray Khan)
This Sufi Order International Mail Group is sponsored by
A Cherag's Library at http://www.cheraglibrary.org/
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