12 Days of Christmas 2024-2025

December 24 to January 5

Find the Peace of the Holidays at Song of the Morning Yoga Retreat

Song of the Morning is a place of exquisite peace and beauty during the holiday season, and the perfect place for those feeling pulled inward into spiritual reflection.  Experience the peace and joy of the season embraced by a warm and welcoming community celebrating and honoring the spiritual energy within the 12 days from Jesus Christ’s to Paramahansa Yogananda’s birthday. We warmly invite you to join us for whichever of the 12 days you wish! Simply select which dates you wish to attend during registration.

Homemade vegetarian meals will be offered to guests daily during this stretch of celebratory days which includes Brunch and Dinner. A variety of items are provided in each accommodation building, including oatmeal packets, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and snack bars. (Please plan on bringing your own food to supplement if you need more than what our two daily mealtimes offer.)

Guests will also be invited to join in daily meditation practice and other offerings such as a hatha yoga class, guided journaling program or group walks. There are many opportunities to come and be in stillness and quiet, and of course, our Shrine Trails are always available for a wintry hike or ski.

The weekend before New Year’s will be the next installment in our Fellowship With Yogacharya series titled “Spiritual Continuity.” Topics addressed by Yogacharya in these informal conversations with devotees include the importance of an unbroken line between disciple and guru, the truth of spiritual things, Master’s teachings, and the one realization that we all must come to.

12 Days of Christmas Daily Schedule – (Happening every day!)

• 10 a.m. – Brunch (Except for Sundays)
• 5 p.m. – Dinner (Sunday Dinner takes place at 1 p.m.) at the Main House
• 7:40 p.m. – Energization Exercises in the Lodge
• 8 to 9:15 p.m. – Evening Meditation with a Warm Hearth Fire in the Lodge (Except for Sundays)

Special Highlights: 

• Christmas Eve festivities
• Christmas Day Service and Progressive Dinner in our community – all are welcome!
• Extended meditations for deepening into the holy season
• A Day of Silence
• Hatha yoga classes
• Fellowship with Yogacharya presentation
• New Year’s Eve workshop & festivities
• Celebration of Yoganandaji’s birthday

Schedule of Special Activities

(See “Daily Schedule” for events taking place each day in addition to these events)

Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve 

2 pm Procession to Christ Shrine with Drums and Cymbals (bundle up!). Includes inspirational reading and concludes with hot cocoa!

7:40 pm Luminaries near the Lodge with singing of Silent Night

After meditation – go out in silence and receive inspirational quote from Yoganandaji on the spiritual meaning of Christmas 

Wednesday, December 25: Merry Christmas! 

11 am Service

Progressive Dinner – All are welcome to join in this annual tradition hosted in the homes of our Clear Light Community!  

1:30 pm Appetizers at the Gabby House

Followed by Dinner at the Armour House

Progressing to Dessert and Caroling at Page-Echols Home

Closing with Inspirational Movie at Karen Epperson and Ian Wylie’s Home

Thursday, December 26: A Day of Silence

11:30 am Silent Nature Walk led by Bruce and Carol Joy

3:00 pm SRF Inspirational Talk on video in the Wheelhouse

Friday, December 27

12:00-1:30 pm Drumming Circle with Michele

3:00 pm Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

6:00 pm Film: Jesus in India, with popcorn and cider in the Wheelhouse

Saturday, December 28

2 pm Fellowship with Yogacharya – hosted by Roy Thibodeau

3:30 Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

6:30 pm “My Stroke of Insight” A Ted Talk by Jill Bolte Taylor in the Wheelhouse

Sunday, December 29 

8:30 am Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

11 am Service

1 pm Sunday Dinner

Monday, December 30 

11 am – 1 pm Baking treats for the NYE festivities in Mainhouse 

2 pm Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

Tuesday, December 31: Happy New Year’s Eve!

2 pm Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

3:30 pm Spiritual New Year Workshop with Jeff Bentley in the Lodge

9:30 pm Sharing/Talent Show 

11:00 pm Meditate and Aum in the New Year 

Wednesday, January 1: Happy New Year’s Day! 

11 am – 1pm Rose Bowl Parade at Will and Wendy’s

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm 3-hour Meditation led by Karen

6 pm Rose Bowl (taped to start later) Jeff & Agnes house

8 pm No evening meditation 

Thursday, January 2

2 pm Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

3:30pm – “Yogananda and the Kriya Yoga Masters”, a full length film at the Wheelhouse

Friday, January 3

3:30 pm Yoga Class in the Wheelhouse

7:00 pm Letters to Yogacharya or Yogananda about your spiritual progress

Saturday, January 4 

12 pm Tote Bag Project in the Mainhouse with Amy – $5 suggested donation

2 pm Chair Yoga in the Wheelhouse with Kaye

6 pm Henna Painting in the Mainhouse – $5 suggested donation

Sunday, January 5 – Yoganandaji’s Birthday! 

11 am Service

1 pm Indian Dinner at the Mainhouse

3 pm Pilgrimage Walk to Master’s Shrine

7:45 Kirtan Begins

8 pm Meditation/Flower Ceremony

9:30 pm Birthday Party – with Cake and Herbal Tea