Holy Night 10

January 2-3 – Libra

The night in which the greatest sacrifice grows from service: learning to listen to the inner voice and the signs of divinity, and to hear them obediently.

Mystery: the voice calling in us through our various incarnations. Its clarity grows through sacrifice and decision.

Rudolf Steiner’s indications for the Holy Nights given to Herbert Hahn
Translation from German by Laura Zanutto 2015 and Mark Willan 2016

10. Heilige Nacht

2./3. Januar – Waage

Die Nacht, in der aus dem Dienen das größte Opfer erwächst, Gehorsam-Horchen-Hören lernen, auf die innere Stimme und das Zeichen des Göttlichen.

Mysterium: Der Rufer in uns durch die verschiedenen Inkarnationen hindurch: Seine Klarheit nimmt zu durch Opfer und Entscheidung.  Rudolf Steiner

Tenth Contemplation: Kristina Kaine 2020

After considering service last night, we can look more closely at sacrifice. The word ‘sacrifice’ in Greek is thusia, which means “the act of offering.” Our task is to discover what we have to offer. This, of course, means that we have to be brutally honest with ourselves. This involves finding the self and then sacrificing it to experience selflessness.

The self and the selfless can easily be misunderstood or misrepresented. The self within us can become too selfish and the selfless aspect of our being can actually be quite self-centred. We have to find the right balance between self and selfless so that they stand in clarity. It is certainly a work in progress, carefully observing the way we express ourselves, not only in our interactions with others but also the way we think and feel about situations in our life.

Understanding that we live repeated lives on this earth brings great healing to our current life. When we deal with a difficult situation we can ask ourselves what we have to offer. If we do this frequently, we will do it more quickly each time. In this way, we sacrifice our reactions and they become thoughtful responses. Our sacrifice is then a gift, not only to our relationships but also to the Universe. The more harmony we can contribute the more harmonious the Universe will be.

In September, 1926 Marie Steiner spoke about the great sacrifice her husband Rudolf Steiner made.

“Rudolf Steiner suffered unspeakably when he had before him a transcript containing words that he had uttered; only twice did he thoroughly review the manuscripts of his lectures, and that was during the War: the first occasion being when he looked over The Mission of Folk Souls, which lecture Prince Max von Baden had expressed a desire to read; the second time it was a series which had appeared in the monthly DIE DREI (The Three) entitled The East in the Light of the West with The Children of Lucifer and the Brothers of Christ.

In most cases he handed the manuscripts back in a distressed manner saying that it would be easier for him to re-write the whole; this naturally, with his fully occupied and all too fleeting time, would not permit. In the end, however, he gave way; and thus it is that many priceless works have been saved for humanity. The decision to publish all the lectures was for him, indeed, a severe trial, and personally a great sacrifice; he determined upon this course in order to avert a worse evil, namely, the publication of a profusion of faulty notes and transcriptions by all manner of unauthorized persons.

Life entails sacrifice and the outcome must be endured — that sacrifice which Rudolf Steiner made, cost him his life but will surely bear fruit, for it was the price that he paid that we might know, and follow, the true path.”

How fortunate we are that Rudolf Steiner made this sacrifice.

Amfortas Vision by Franz Stassen