Baha'i Community celebrates Ridvan from April 21 to May 2

If I had lived in Israel in the time of Jesus Christ, would I have recognized Him as the Messiah? Would I have joyously and reverently listened to Him?

Of course, I want to say “Yes!”

However, I have to face reality — if I had lived in that time, I probably would have been a product of that culture. I’d probably just listen to His words.

Every founder of the world’s major religions said He would return. If Jesus Christ returned today under similar circumstances, would I recognize Him? Or, in the reality of our time and culture, would I be tempted to ask for some photo ID?

Baha’is believe that the founders of all the major religions are Divine Manifestations of God. It was in the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad in 1863 — over a 12-day period — that Baha’u’llah publicly announced to his followers that He was the Divine Manifestation for our age, as foretold in all the Holy Books of the past.

These 12 Days of Ridvan, April 21 through May 2, are a holy and joyous festival time for members of the Baha’i Community around the globe because it was during this time that Baha’u’llah said He was the latest in a line of Divine Manifestations throughout history.

Baha’is (followers of Baha’u’llah) are planning special devotional observances for the first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridvan. These joyful tidings are celebrated annually by the world-wide Baha’i Community.

“Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The Soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, hath thirsted for this wondrous Day.” This quote is from the book: Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah.”

Baha’u’llah means “The Glory of God.” He lived from 1817 to 1892 in the Middle East. He was exiled/banished from Tehran to Baghdad (where the Garden of Ridvan was located) to Constantinople to Adrianople to Akka in Israel. The Baha’i Holy Shrines are on Mount Carmel and near Haifa.

In 1890, Professor Edward G. Browne of Cambridge University, England, went to Israel at that time called Palestine, and met Baha’u’llah. Browne then wrote these words:

“The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one’s very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and face implied an age which the jet-black hair and beard flowing down in indistinguishable luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to belie. No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!”

Browne was the only known person from the West to have actually met Baha’u’llah.

One of Baha’u’llah’s most often repeated sayings is, “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

His ministry lasted 40 years, and He established a new religion under circumstances unparalleled in religious history.

At the time of Baha’u’llah’s joyous announcement in the Ridvan Garden, most of our planet was unaware of this momentous event — the same as when Jesus Christ walked on earth. Both were turning points in history.

Baha’is believe Baha’u’llah is the Promised One of all religions. We live in this joyous age — the Divine Springtime of this religion.

So, how is it that I have the privilege to recognize Baha’u’llah as the Manifestation of God for our time?

I think of that song in the movie “The Sound of Music” — “Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.”

What can I say, except: “Thank You, God!” and “I’ll express my supreme appreciation by devoting the rest of my life to You!”

A resident of Wasilla, Rosemary Vavrin is retired from her educational and media careers.