Light the World

If you haven’t heard of this movement I challenge you to look it up! It’s amazing, uplifting, inspiring, and beautiful.

Last year the Mormon church challenged others to #LightTheWorld with simple daily acts of service. Being a member of the Mormon faith, or LDS, we took this challenge on as a family. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would my kids think it was lame? Would the whine and complain about every service we would provide for others? Can I really find ways to serve for 25 days?! I was a little apprehensive but wanted to give it my all with the hope that we would find a deeper and more spiritual meaning to Christmas.

I was touched by the results of trying to #LightTheWorld. My kids were looking everyday for ways that they could help others. They reminded me to watch the sweet videos that were posted online every day. (https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days) Any time one of them helped someone else in the family, we would hear their sweet and excited voices cheerfully yell, “You are lighting the world!” We began to have deeper conversations of the true meaning of Christmas. We discussed why Christ’s birth was a miracle, how Mary must have felt being Jesus’ mom, what the wise men must have sacrificed to travel so far to worship him, who in this world needs Christ, and so many other beautiful topics. We were able to spend meaningful time together as a family, despite the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays. Lighting the world has been by far my favorite service project we have done as a family.

We have been touched by the goodness of others during Christmas time in the past. We have seen and been a part of miracles. I love service! I love to watch others light up and see a burden lifted when we help. It can be a simple, small act or something requiring a little more sacrifice, but the results are always the same. I feel more love from my Heavenly Father and a deeper peace.  

Even if you are not a member of the LDS faith, you can still participate in this challenge because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t need some cheering up?! Serving others will lift you and the ones you are serving up! Guaranteed! We need a little more good in this world, so now is the time.

I found a few calendars both on lds.org and a few other blog sites. This one from A Year of FHE was cute! They have ones for teens and children! Brilliant! I thought this one was really sweet and interactive from the Friend Magazine. They help give ideas of ways you can serve each day. Alter them to your liking! The point is that you are doing something wonderful for others every day.

If you are struggling with some ideas here are a few we have done and/or are planning on doing this year!

* Bake cookies and take them to neighbors

* Shovel sidewalks

* Sing Christmas carols to a nursing home

* Create cards and send them to family members

* Write letters to missionaries

* Pay for someone's meal in a restaurant or in the drive thru behind you

* Deliver flowers to strangers in the grocery store (and watch and love their reactions)

* Take a meal to someone who has been sick or has recently had surgery or someone having a rough time

* Forgive someone who doesn't necessarily deserve it

* Say "I'm sorry" first

* Give out cups of hot chocolate to the homeless

* Donate gently used items to Deseret Industries or Goodwill

* Have a family over for dinner

* Pray for someone 

* Be slow to anger 

* Visit a lonely friend

* Hold open the door

* Give someone a compliment

* Write love notes to everyone in your family 

If you do take this on (Please do. You won’t regret it) I would love to hear your results and ideas!

Let’s remember the beautiful reason for this season and Him who gave His life for us. Merry Christmas to you all! I hope it’s a blessed one for each of you!