The principle of baptism is purification by repentance. John
admonished and exhorted the people, and caused them to repent; then he baptized
them. Therefore, it is apparent that this baptism is a symbol of repentance
from all sin: its meaning is expressed in these words: “O God! as my body has
become purified and cleansed from physical impurities, in the same way purify
and sanctify my spirit from the impurities of the world of nature, which are
not worthy of the Threshold of Thy Unity!” Repentance is the return from
disobedience to obedience. Man, after remoteness and deprivation from God,
repents and undergoes purification: and this is a symbol signifying “O God!
make my heart good and pure, freed and sanctified from all save Thy love.”
As Christ desired that this institution of John should be
used at that time by all, He Himself conformed to it in order to awaken the
people and to complete the law of the former religion. Although the ablution of
repentance was the institution of John, it was in reality formerly practiced in the religion of God.
Christ was not in need of baptism; but as at that time it
was an acceptable and praiseworthy action, and a sign of the glad tidings of
the Kingdom, therefore, He confirmed it. However, afterward He said the true
baptism is not with material water, but it must be with spirit and with water.
In this case water does not signify material water, for elsewhere it is
explicitly said baptism is with spirit and with fire, from which it is clear
that the reference is not to material fire and material water, for baptism with
fire is impossible. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
December 30
In the terminology of the Holy Books, the church is a symbol
of the Covenant, in other words it is a gathering place for different peoples
and races so that it may become a sign and token of the true Temple and the
Divine Law. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Church of Ascension, June 2, 1912, New
York; Mahmud’s Diary)
December 29
This day the powers of all the leaders of religion are
directed towards the dispersion of the congregation of the All-Merciful, and
the shattering of the Divine Edifice. The hosts of the world, whether material,
cultural or political are from every side launching their assault, for the
Cause is great, very great. Its greatness is, in this day, clear and manifest
to men’s eyes. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine
Justice’)
December 28
The government, the nation, the doctors of divinity and the
great personages desired to extinguish His[the Bab's] light, but they could not do so. At
last His moon arose, His star shone forth, His foundations became firmly
established, and His dawning-place became brilliant. He imparted divine
education to an unenlightened multitude and produced marvelous results on the
thoughts, morals, customs and conditions of the Persians. He announced the glad
tidings of the manifestation of the Sun of Bahá to His followers and prepared
them to believe.
The appearance of such wonderful signs and great results; the effects produced upon the minds of the people, and upon the prevailing ideas; the establishment of the foundations of progress; and the organization of the principles of success and prosperity by a young merchant, constitute the greatest proof that He was a perfect Educator. A just person will never hesitate to believe this. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
The appearance of such wonderful signs and great results; the effects produced upon the minds of the people, and upon the prevailing ideas; the establishment of the foundations of progress; and the organization of the principles of success and prosperity by a young merchant, constitute the greatest proof that He was a perfect Educator. A just person will never hesitate to believe this. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
December 27
Therefore, O ye friends of God, ye must in perfect purity attain spiritual unity and agreement to a degree that ye may express one spirit and one life.
In this condition physical bodies play no part: the command and authority are in the hand of the spirit. When the spirit becometh all inclusive, the Spiritual union shall be attained. Night and day endeavor to attain perfect harmony; be thoughtful concerning your own spiritual developments and close your eyes to the shortcomings of one another.
By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be a lesson for others. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 1)
In this condition physical bodies play no part: the command and authority are in the hand of the spirit. When the spirit becometh all inclusive, the Spiritual union shall be attained. Night and day endeavor to attain perfect harmony; be thoughtful concerning your own spiritual developments and close your eyes to the shortcomings of one another.
By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be a lesson for others. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 1)
December 26
Likewise the republic of Mexico is very important. The majority of the inhabitants of that country are devoted Catholics. They are totally unaware of the reality of the Bible, the Gospel and the new divine teachings. They do not know that the basis of the religions of God is one and that the holy Manifestations are like unto the Sun of Truth, rising from the different dawning-places. Those souls are submerged in the sea of dogmas. If one breath of life be blown over them, great results will issue therefrom. But it is better for those who intend to go to Mexico to teach, to be familiar with the Spanish language. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of the Divine Plan')
December 25
`Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven' [Matt. 16:19]. The Christians have not understood its meaning. They
imagine that it means the redemption of sins through the Christian leaders. The
intention of Christ was to permit His disciples to elaborate or abrogate the
laws of the Torah, as He had altered only two, those of the Sabbath and
divorce. But, alas! The spiritual leaders of the Christians did not grasp His
meaning, so that when the Greeks and Romans became Christians, some of the
idolatrous customs were incorporated into Christianity. For example, the
adornment of churches with images, self-mortification, abstinence, monks'
habits, the lighting of candles in church, the ringing of the bell in the
steeple and others. These are all from idolaters. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, June
26, 1912, Montclair,
USA; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 24
The divine Prophets came to establish the unity of the
Kingdom in human hearts. All of them proclaimed the glad tidings of the divine
bestowals to the world of mankind. All brought the same message of divine love
to the world. Jesus Christ gave His life upon the cross for the unity of
mankind. Those who believed in Him likewise sacrificed life, honor,
possessions, family, everything, that this human world might be released from
the hell of discord, enmity and strife. His foundation was the oneness of
humanity. Only a few were attracted to Him. They were not the kings and rulers
of His time. They were not rich and important people. Some of them were
catchers of fish. Most of them were ignorant men, not trained in the knowledge
of this world. One of the greatest of them, Peter, could not remember the days
of the week. All of them were men of the least consequence in the eyes of the
world. But their hearts were pure and attracted by the fires of the Divine
Spirit manifested in Christ. With this small army Christ conquered the world of
the East and the West. Kings and nations rose against Him. Philosophers and the
greatest men of learning assailed and blasphemed His Cause. All were defeated
and overcome, their tongues silenced, their lamps extinguished, their hatred
quenched; no trace of them now remains. They have become as nonexistent, while
His Kingdom is triumphant and eternal. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk
given in New York, April 12, 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)
December 23
Those who first strove to do away with Him [Christ] were the
Israelites, His own kindred. To all outward appearances they overcame Him and
brought Him into direst distress. At last they crowned Him with the crown of
thorns and crucified Him. But Christ, while apparently in the deepest misery
and affliction, proclaimed, “This Sun will be resplendent, this Light will
shine, My grace will surround the world, and all My enemies will be brought
low.” And as He said, so it was; for all the kings of the earth have not been
able to withstand Him. Nay, all their standards have been overthrown, while the
banner of that Oppressed One has been raised to the zenith. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some
Answered Questions’)
December 22
From amongst all mankind hath He chosen you, and your eyes
have been opened to the light of guidance and your ears attuned to the music of
the Company above; and blessed by abounding grace, your hearts and souls have
been born into new life. Thank ye and praise ye God that the hand of infinite
bestowals hath set upon your heads this gem-studded crown, this crown whose
lustrous jewels will forever flash and sparkle down all the reaches of time.
To thank Him for this, make ye a mighty effort, and choose for yourselves a noble goal. Through the power of faith, obey ye the teachings of God, and let all your actions conform to His laws. Read ye The Hidden Words, ponder the inner meanings thereof, act in accord therewith. Read, with close attention, the Tablets of Tarazát (Ornaments), Kalímát (Words of Paradise), Tajallíyyát (Effulgences), Ishráqát (Splendours), and Bishárát (Glad Tidings), and rise up as ye are bidden in the heavenly teachings. Thus may each one of you be even as a candle casting its light, the centre of attraction wherever people come together; and from you, as from a bed of flowers, may sweet scents be shed. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
To thank Him for this, make ye a mighty effort, and choose for yourselves a noble goal. Through the power of faith, obey ye the teachings of God, and let all your actions conform to His laws. Read ye The Hidden Words, ponder the inner meanings thereof, act in accord therewith. Read, with close attention, the Tablets of Tarazát (Ornaments), Kalímát (Words of Paradise), Tajallíyyát (Effulgences), Ishráqát (Splendours), and Bishárát (Glad Tidings), and rise up as ye are bidden in the heavenly teachings. Thus may each one of you be even as a candle casting its light, the centre of attraction wherever people come together; and from you, as from a bed of flowers, may sweet scents be shed. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 21
His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to the East and to the
West of the world and summon the people to the Kingdom of God. [Mark 16:15] Hence
the mercy of God must encompass all humanity. Therefore
do ye not think it permissible to leave that region [Alaska] deprived of the
breezes of the Morn of Guidance. Consequently, strive as far as ye are able to
send to those parts fluent speakers, who are detached from aught else save God,
attracted with the fragrances of God, and sanctified and purified from all
desires and temptations. Their sustenance and food must consist of the
teachings of God. First they must themselves live in accordance with those
principles, then guide the people. Perchance, God willing, the lights of the
Most Great Guidance will illuminate that country, and the breezes of the rose
garden of the love of God will perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of
Alaska. Should you be aided to render such a service, rest ye assured that your
heads shall be crowned with the diadem of everlasting sovereignty, and at the
threshold of oneness you will become the favored and accepted servants.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
December 20
Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s
holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of
spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal
breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation
unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in
the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both
in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the
living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every
illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly
cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this
material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the
spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless
power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the
adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal
world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and
nation. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 19
In all the world of creation all the existent beings are in
the utmost connection. Through this connection, mutual helpfulness and
co-operation is realized. This mutual helpfulness and co-operation is the
origin of the conservation of the forces of life. If for one instant this
mutual helpfulness and co-operation were cut off from the sources and realities
of things, all the existent beings and things would be thrown into confusion
and chaos and be reduced to nothingness and annihilation. For instance, from
the breath of the animals a watery element, called hydrogen, and carbon is
exhaled and this is the life principle of the vegetable kingdom. From the
vegetable kingdom and the trees, a fiery element, called oxygen, is emitted and
this becomes the cause of the maintenance of the life of the animal kingdom. In
such a manner, mutual helpfulness and co-operation is realized continually
between all the existent beings.
December 18
And still another of His trials was the hostility, the flagrant injustice, the iniquity and rebellion of Mírzá Yahyá. Although that Wronged One, that Prisoner, had through His loving-kindness nurtured him in His own bosom ever since his early years, had showered at every moment His tender care upon him, exalted his name, shielded him from every misfortune, endeared him to them of this world and the next, and despite the firm exhortations and counsels of His Holiness, the Exalted One (the Báb) and His clear and conclusive warning;—”Beware, beware, lest the Nineteen Letters of the Living and that which hath been revealed in the Bayán veil thee!” yet notwithstanding this, Mírzá Yahyá denied Him, dealt falsely with Him, believed Him not, sowed the seeds of doubt, closed his eyes to His manifest verses and turned aside therefrom. Would that he had been content therewith! Nay, he even attempted to shed the sacred blood (of Bahá’u’lláh) and then raised a great clamor and tumult around him, attributing unto Bahá’u’lláh malevolence and cruelty towards himself. What sedition he stirred up and what a storm of mischief he raised whilst in the Land of Mystery (Adrianople)! At last, he wrought that which caused the Day-Star of the world to be sent an exile to this, the Most Great Prison, and sorely wronged, and in the West of this Great Prison He did set. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 17
As for the Báb—may my soul be His sacrifice!—at a youthful
age, that is to say, when He had reached the twenty-fifth year of His blessed
life, He stood forth to proclaim His Cause. It was universally admitted by the Shí’is
that He had never studied in any school and had not acquired knowledge from any
teacher; all the people of Shíráz bear witness to this. Nevertheless, He
suddenly appeared before the people, endowed with the most complete erudition.
Although He was but a merchant, He confounded all the ‘ulamá of Persia. [Doctors
of the religion of Islám] All alone, in a way which is beyond imagination, He
upheld the Cause among the Persians, who are renowned for their religious
fanaticism. This illustrious Soul arose with such power that He shook the
supports of the religion, of the morals, the conditions, the habits and the
customs of Persia, and instituted new rules, new laws and a new religion.
Though the great personages of the State, nearly all the clergy, and the public
men arose to destroy and annihilate Him, He alone withstood them and moved the
whole of Persia. (Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
December 16
It is obvious that a very deep relationship exists between
the spirit of man and the world of existence. It often happens that what we see
in a dream comes to pass in wakefulness; indeed, even in wakefulness when the
soul is unfettered, matters come to mind which later appear in visible form.
This shows that between the reasoning power of man and that visible appearance
there is a spiritual connection. Furthermore, the spirit of man has the power
of discovering facts. When this power is realized, problems become easily
resolved. Amusingly, while materialists are engaged in making discoveries
concerning the strata of the earth, they are immersed in the very spiritual
power whose potency and influence they deny. They also claim to forecast coming
events. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, June 10, 1912, New York, ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 15
By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be a lesson
for others. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 1)
December 14
O ye peoples of the Kingdom! How many a soul expended all
its span of life in worship, endured the mortification of the flesh, longed to
gain an entry into the Kingdom, and yet failed, while ye, with neither toil nor
pain nor self-denial, have won the prize and entered in.
It is even as in the time of the Messiah, when the Pharisees and the pious were left without a portion, while Peter, John and Andrew, given neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice, won the day. Wherefore, thank ye God for setting upon your heads the crown of glory everlasting, for granting unto you this immeasurable grace.
The time hath come when, as a thank-offering for this bestowal, ye should grow in faith and constancy as day followeth day, and should draw ever nearer to the Lord, your God, becoming magnetized to such a degree, and so aflame, that your holy melodies in praise of the Beloved will reach upward to the Company on high; and that each one of you, even as a nightingale in this rose garden of God, will glorify the Lord of Hosts, and become the teacher of all who dwell on earth. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
It is even as in the time of the Messiah, when the Pharisees and the pious were left without a portion, while Peter, John and Andrew, given neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice, won the day. Wherefore, thank ye God for setting upon your heads the crown of glory everlasting, for granting unto you this immeasurable grace.
The time hath come when, as a thank-offering for this bestowal, ye should grow in faith and constancy as day followeth day, and should draw ever nearer to the Lord, your God, becoming magnetized to such a degree, and so aflame, that your holy melodies in praise of the Beloved will reach upward to the Company on high; and that each one of you, even as a nightingale in this rose garden of God, will glorify the Lord of Hosts, and become the teacher of all who dwell on earth. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 13
I desire for you eternal success and prosperity and beg
perfect confirmation for each one in the divine world. My hope for you is that
each one may shine forth like unto the morning star from the horizon of the
world and in this Garden of God become a blessed tree, producing everlasting
fruits and results.
Therefore I direct you to that which is conducive to your heavenly confirmation and illumination in the Kingdom of God! (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
Therefore I direct you to that which is conducive to your heavenly confirmation and illumination in the Kingdom of God! (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
December 12
The beloved of God must each be the essence of purity and
holiness; so may they be known by their purity, freedom and meekness in every
land; they may drink from the eternal chalice of the love of God, enjoy its
ecstasy, and through meeting the Beauty of Abha, they should be joyful, active,
aglow with zeal and wonderful. This is the station of the sincere. This is the
quality of those who are firm. This is the illumination of the faces of those
who are near. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
December 11
O ye loved ones of the Lord! Praise be to Him, the unseen,
welling bounties of the Sun of Truth encompass you on every side, and from
every direction the portals of His mercy stand ajar. Now is the time to take
advantage of these bestowals, and benefit therefrom. Know ye the value of this
time, let not this chance escape you. Stay ye entirely clear of this dark
world’s concerns, and become ye known by the attributes of those essences that
make their home in the Kingdom. Then shall ye see how intense is the glory of
the heavenly Day-Star, and how blinding bright are the tokens of bounty coming
out of the invisible realm. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 10
The continent of America is, in the eyes of the one true
God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the
mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide, and
the free assemble. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of
Divine Justice’, December 25, 1938)
December 9
Look at the history of the world and try to find a parallel
instance in which a native of the East has come to the countries of the West,
particularly America, and called out to them in the churches and meetings
there, raised the divine call in many of the large cities and invited everyone
to the Abhá Kingdom, with no one taking exception. Nay, on the contrary, those
present at the gatherings have heard him with patience and unbounded joy. These
things have been achieved solely through the confirmations of the Abhá Kingdom.
(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, September 13, 1912, Chicago, Mahmud’s Diary)
December 8
I swear by the true Teacher that if ye will act in accord
with the admonitions of God, as revealed in His luminous Tablets,
this darksome dust will mirror forth the Kingdom of heaven, and this nether
world the realm of the All-Glorious. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the
Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 7
Afterward Christ came, saying, “I am born of the Holy
Spirit.” Though it is now easy for the Christians to believe this assertion, at
that time it was very difficult. According to the text of the Gospel the Pharisees
said, “Is not this the son of Joseph of Nazareth Whom we know? How can He say,
therefore, I came down from heaven?” [John 6:42]
Briefly, this Man, Who, apparently, and in the eyes of all, was lowly, arose with such great power that He abolished a religion that had lasted fifteen hundred years, at a time when the slightest deviation from it exposed the offender to danger or to death. Moreover, in the days of Christ the morals of the whole world and the condition of the Israelites had become completely confused and corrupted, and Israel had fallen into a state of the utmost degradation, misery and bondage. At one time they had been taken captive by the Chaldeans and Persians; at another time they were reduced to slavery to the Assyrians; then they became the subjects and vassals of the Greeks; and finally they were ruled over and despised by the Romans.
This young Man, Christ, by the help of a supernatural power, abrogated the ancient Mosaic Law, reformed the general morals, and once again laid the foundation of eternal glory for the Israelites. Moreover, He brought to humanity the glad tidings of universal peace, and spread abroad teachings which were not for Israel alone but were for the general happiness of the whole human race. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
Briefly, this Man, Who, apparently, and in the eyes of all, was lowly, arose with such great power that He abolished a religion that had lasted fifteen hundred years, at a time when the slightest deviation from it exposed the offender to danger or to death. Moreover, in the days of Christ the morals of the whole world and the condition of the Israelites had become completely confused and corrupted, and Israel had fallen into a state of the utmost degradation, misery and bondage. At one time they had been taken captive by the Chaldeans and Persians; at another time they were reduced to slavery to the Assyrians; then they became the subjects and vassals of the Greeks; and finally they were ruled over and despised by the Romans.
This young Man, Christ, by the help of a supernatural power, abrogated the ancient Mosaic Law, reformed the general morals, and once again laid the foundation of eternal glory for the Israelites. Moreover, He brought to humanity the glad tidings of universal peace, and spread abroad teachings which were not for Israel alone but were for the general happiness of the whole human race. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some Answered Questions’)
December 6
In brief, beware, lest you offend any heart or engage in
backbiting. You must be friends to all and regard all as your own kith and kin.
Your supreme object must always be to bring pleasure to a heart, to give food
to the hungry, clothes to the naked, honor to the degraded, help to the
helpless and comfort to the distressed. This is the way to win the good
pleasure of God. This is that which is conducive to eternal happiness. This is
the light of the world of man. As I wish eternal honor for you, so I exhort you
with these words. (‘Abdu’l-Baha’sparting words to the believers aboard
the ship, December 5, 1912, New York, ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
December 5
I shall ask you a question: Did God create us for love or
for enmity? Did He create us for peace or discord? Surely He has created us for
love; therefore, we should live in accordance with His will. Do not listen to
anything that is prejudiced, for self-interest prompts men to be prejudiced.
They are thoughtful only of their own will and purposes. They live and move in darkness.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from a talk given on 21 April 1912 in Washington D.C.;
Promulgation of Universal Peace) (To read the entire talk please visits Talksof ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
December 4
O ye beloved of the Lord! The greatest of all things is the
protection of the True Faith of God, the preservation of His Law, the
safeguarding of His Cause and service unto His Word. Ten thousand souls have
shed streams of their sacred blood in this path, their precious lives they
offered in sacrifice unto Him, hastened wrapt in holy ecstasy unto the glorious
field of martyrdom, upraised the Standard of God’s Faith and writ with their
life-blood upon the Tablet of the world the verses of His Divine Unity. The
sacred breast of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be a sacrifice unto
Him), was made a target to many a dart of woe, and in Mázindarán, the blessed
feet of the Abhá Beauty (may my life be offered up for His loved ones) were so grievously
scourged as to bleed and be sore wounded. His neck also was put into captive
chains and His feet made fast in the stocks. In every hour, for a period of
fifty years, a new trial and calamity befell Him and fresh afflictions and
cares beset Him. One of them: after having suffered intense vicissitudes, He
was made homeless and a wanderer and fell a victim to still new vexations and
troubles. In ‘Iráq, the Day-Star of the world was so exposed to the wiles of
the people of malice as to be eclipsed in splendor. Later on He was sent an
exile to the Great City (Constantinople) and thence to the Land of Mystery
(Adrianople), whence, grievously wronged, He was eventually transferred to the
Most Great Prison (Akká). He Whom the world hath wronged (may my life be
offered up for His loved ones) was four times banished from city to city, till
at last, condemned to perpetual confinement, He was incarcerated in this
prison, the prison of highway robbers, of brigands and of man-slayers. All this
is but one of the trials that have afflicted the Blessed Beauty, the rest being
even as grievous as this. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
December 3
Should you display an effort, so that the fragrances of God
may be diffused among the Eskimos, its effect will be very great and
far-reaching. God says in the great Qur’án: A day will come wherein the lights
of unity will enlighten all the world. “The earth will be irradiated with the
light of its Lord.” [Qur’án 39:69] In other words, the earth will become
illumined with the light of God. That light is the light of unity. “There is no
God but God.” The continent and the islands of Eskimos are also parts of this
earth. They must similarly receive a portion of the bestowals of the Most Great
Guidance. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of Divine Plan’)
December 2
Truly, the hearts of the children are very pure. This was
why Christ said, `Be ye like children.' (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, New York,
November 24, Mahmud’s Diary)
December 1
Next in rank are those eminent and honorable ministers of
state and representatives, who place the will of God above their own, and whose
administrative skill and wisdom in the conduct of their office raises the
science of government to new heights of perfection. They
shine in the learned world like lamps of knowledge; their thinking, their
attitudes and their acts demonstrate their patriotism and their concern for the
country’s advancement. Content with a modest stipend, they consecrate their
days and nights to the execution of important duties and the devising of
methods to insure the progress of the people. Through the effectiveness of
their wise counsel, the soundness of their judgment, they have ever caused
their government to become an example to be followed by all the governments of
the world. They have made their capital city a focal center of great world
undertakings, they have won distinction, attaining a supreme degree of personal
eminence, and reaching the loftiest heights of repute and character. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
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