A global effort to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and encourage people to serve others during the Christmas season is being launched by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The “Light the World” Christmas initiative is spreading to worldwide audiences beginning Nov. 25, 2016, through Jan. 1, 2017.
The initiative focuses on celebrating and sharing the light of Jesus Christ, the “light of the world” (John 8:12).
“As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others,” said President Thomas S. Monson in a general conference address in October 2015.
Sharable online content is available at mormon.org, including a video and an advent calendar that invite the public to perform acts of service following Christ’s example throughout the Christmas season. The effort kicks off Thursday, Dec. 1, with a Worldwide Day of Service, and for 25 days onward until Dec. 25, one short video will be made available each day, with individual themes, offering various service ideas to the public.
Social media users are encouraged to share their experiences by using the hashtag #LIGHTtheWORLD.
"The whole purpose of this initiative is to celebrate and share the Light of Christ,” said Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “What we hope people will do is not simply think about the Savior during this Christmas season, or even just learn more about Him. What we hope is that they will come to know Him by doing what He did.”