After the offertory comes the Festival of Light.

This celebration is the culmination of the service. It contains, in poetic form, the devotional and philosophical essence of the path and teachings of Self-realization.

The long process of spiritual awakening is described through the allegory of a little bird leaving the nest to find its way in the world. Divine Grace is celebrated, personified by the return of the Masters, ever and again, to guide us out of delusion into the clear light of Spirit. In a simple arati (worship ceremony), the congregation sings while the Lightbearer (minister) raises a candle at the altar, symbolizing the little light that is in us being offered to the infinite light of God.

The Festival begins as follows:

'Let us lift up our hearts in a Festival of Light. The essence of this ceremony has been passed down from ancient times.

O waves that we are on the bosom of the infinite sea, joyfully together let us celebrate our own greater reality. For now, by God's grace, our redemption is at hand. The Divine Light, returning anew to earth, has given us power--as the Holy Bible proclaims--to become the Sons of God.

Into our hands have been delivered the sacred keys of awakening. Abundant now is our hope! The Lord, through the Bhagavad-Gita, promised "Even the worst of sinners, by steadfast meditation on me, speedily comes to me." Again in that holy scripture he declared, "Even a little practice of this inward religion will free one from dire fears and colossal sufferings."

And whereas suffering and sorrow, in the past, were the coin of man's redemption, for us now the payment has been exchanged for calm acceptance and joy.'

The Festival ends with an invitation "to all those who feel so inclined, to come up to the altar and receive the touch of light from the Masters." Passing his hand over the candle which has been offered at the altar and is now imbued with the "light from the Masters," the Lightbearer transmits that light to you by touching you at the spiritual eye, the point between the eyebrows.

During the blessing, we chant "Om Christ Amen." This is in tribute to the Christ Consciousness, latent within everyone and fully manifested, not only in Jesus, but in all Self-realized Masters. We chant to honor them as our guides and gurus, and also to hasten that same awakening of Christ Consciousness in ourselves. You may sit and meditate while you wait your turn, or you may prefer to stand and sing.

Closing Prayer
The minister closes with a prayer and the admonition to "Go Out With Joy!"

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