Post # 53— Let’s All ‘Light the World’

Dear Family and Friends

I have been thinking a lot about how we can make our Christmas season more Christ-Centered . I wanted to share with you a Christmas campaign that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started a few years ago. It has been an amazing help to me and I have tried to find ways to help my family to put Christ back at the center of Christmas where He truly belongs, because isn’t He the reason for the season?  Here is a link to a 'Light the World' daily activities, its not too late to get started so check it out here:

https://www.mormon.org/2016/christmas/in-25-ways-over-25-days

The world would have us focus on the gifts we receive and the more expensive the better, but that is not the way we should be thinking of the Christmas season. we should be especially grateful for the birth of our Savior and how amazing His birth truly was. how His birth has effected the while world. every person on the earth owes so much to Jesus Christ and the life He gave up for our sakes -- for our sins and transgressions.

Don't get me wrong, all of my children believed in Santa Claus growing up, but I have learned over the years that we need to be sure to include Jesus Christ in our celebrations of Christmas. I have tried to do this more and more each year -- encouraging my family for shift their focus a little bit and include Christ more in their celebrations as well.  we need to focus more on the gifts we can give to Christ and ponder on the gifts that He has given us. Remember that we are a work in progress you know -- it's a good thing that the Lord is not finished with us yet!

I found this article from the December 2016 Ensign. I think it was the year the Christmas campaign was announced. They have a calendar with activities for every day in December right up until Christmas day– ways to ‘Light the World’ as Jesus Christ would do if He were here. If you have not ever tried it, it’s not too late to begin it with your family and start a new tradition and ‘Light the World’ together.

Light the World

By Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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• Many of our memorable and enduring Christmas traditions include different kinds of lights—lights on trees, lights in and on our homes, candles on our tables. Indeed, light has significant meaning as we commemorate the humble birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  Did you ever think of your family’s Christmas traditions in this way before – you know all the lights we use? I know I don’t think I did before I read this article in 2016. I mean maybe on the surface I knew the importance of the lights, but not in a spiritual sense.
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  In the New Testament account, a new star arose and wise men followed the light “till it came and stood over where the young child was.”¹
  In the Book of Mormon account, the signs of Christ’s birth foretold by Samuel included “great lights in heaven” and a “night before he cometh [with] no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear … as if it was day.” ² “And behold, there shall a new star arise.”³
  In the Old World, Jesus taught, “I am the light of the world.”⁴ And in the New World, the Savior descended from the heavens and declared, “I am the light and the life of the world.”⁵ In both of these settings, the words used by the Lord to describe Himself were “the light.”
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  May we increasingly learn and more fully understand that Jesus Christ is the “light which shineth in darkness.”⁶ In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, the Savior is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy. May the beautiful lights of every Christmas season remind us of Him who is the source of all light.
  I must agree with Elder Bednar, Jesus Christ is “the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.” Also, that it is necessary for each one of us “to increasingly learn and fully understand that Jesus Christ is the ‘light which shineth in darkness’.” I have felt this overwhelming peace that only He can give, and that assurance and direction, and enduring peace is amazing!
  You can learn more anout the “Light the World’ campaign here:
  https://www.mormon.org/christmas/
  I am going to try really hard to do more things to ‘Light the World’ in whatever small ways that I can to help those around me. I hope and pray that each of us can accept a challenge to “Light the World’ this every day this month right up until Christmas. Actually I think we should extend this right on into the new year and be continually seeking to find new small ways to ‘Light the World’ as Jesus did when He was on the earth. We are His hands therefore we should use our hands as He would and lift those around us through small acts of kindness and small acts of service.
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  There are many great ideas on the website and I am sure there will be many more added each day. Please be sure to check out the Light the World videos on the website as well, download the calendar of activities and let’s each get started TODAY!!! Let’s get out of our comfort zone and ‘LIGHT THE WORLD’ around us! This is right off the website for week one:

Week 1: Light The World

Jesus Christ taught, “Ye are the light of the world.” We can share that light to all of God’s children when we give as He gave to people near and far.


The website has ideas on the calendar just in case you are struggling to find ways that you can “Light the World.” Check it out here: https://www.mormon.org/christmas/service-calendar-ideas

Jesus Helped Others to See and So Can You

As the Light of the World, Jesus Christ was born so that no one would have to live in darkness. He miraculously healed the blind, but that’s far from the only way Jesus Christ can open our eyes. Today, there are many ways we can help others—and ourselves—to see the things that matter most.

https://www.mormon.org/2016/christmas/in-25-ways-over-25-days/jesus-helped-others-to-see#
Until my next post, make it a great week and let each one of us go out there nd share our light with those around us. You will each do an amazing job! As you share your light --- no matter how small it is, it will grow brighter😊 
They have a great Light the World Family Home Evening if you want to use it to introduce and get your family excited about the campaign:

https://www.ldsdaily.com/home-and-family/special-light-the-world-fhe-lesson/