See that spike right there? That’s what happens to our traffic on this website around Halloween. People really wonder if members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate Halloween. I hope that those who wonder got a little more insight into that answer (short answer — the if, how, and how much varies for everyone, but on the whole, the answer is yes).

I hope we will have fewer people wondering about whether or not we celebrate Christmas (although some still may wonder, given the pagan connections to some of the Christmas traditions).

At the very heart of our faith is Jesus Christ, so when the birth of the Son of God is celebrated around the world, you can believe that we celebrate with the world! To us, He is the the Life and Light of the World. Once again, when it comes to how individuals and families might celebrate the Christmas season, that will vary.

But this post is about one way we as a worldwide church community celebrate the season. It’s called #LightTheWorld.

The intention is to turn the Christmas season into a month-long focus on service. This year, the #LightTheWorld effort has been expanded to say “Light the World with Love.”

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist

There’s a calendar of service ideas if you and/or you and your family would like to join in along the way. Or you can create your own service calendar. There’s also a child-friendly service calendar for those who have little ones.

And although the pandemic is still here with us, this year, the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines are back.*

If you haven’t heard of the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, you can read more here. What started as an experiment a few years ago has expanded into a continually-collaborative effort in multiple cities across the United States, with nonprofits that serve people around the world. 100% of donations go to help the charity you choose, and the charities with which the Church collaborates all care about helping people one by one, just as Jesus did.

All credit card fees are covered by the Church of Jesus Christ to also serve the nonprofits to which you are donating.

“Imagine swiping your credit card at a vending machine—but instead of buying a candy bar for yourself, you’re buying a sheep for a family in a third-world country. Or a polio vaccine. Or a pair of shoes. Or 100 meals for your local food bank. With the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, that’s exactly what happens. The Giving Machines provide a way for people to follow the example of Jesus to help those in need and make the Christmas season a little more meaningful for themselves and for countless others.“

You can also give online by donating to one of the charity partners working with the Church to do more good, together. Or, of course, feel free to donate to your favorite charity, with time or goods or funds or a social media share or whatever feels right for you.

“The organizations featured in the Giving Machines represent a wide variety of global and local causes—all with pressing needs and the goal of helping people one by one. If you’re wondering what you should donate, consider spending a bit of time learning about the charities before visiting the machines or donating online. You might find a cause or item that resonates with you. As you give that gift, remember that your donation is truly helping someone in need.“

#LightTheWorld starts on November 30 by encouraging people to participate in #GivingTuesday. There are so many ways to share more light and goodness and love. Although we can’t measure it here, we hope that this Christmas season, there will be a spike in service and good will as we each try to find ways to #LightTheWorld.

*As COVID is, unfortunately, still causing issues around the world, and there are those around you whose bodies may be more at-risk, please be cautious and considerate of others if you choose to use the machines and as you are out and about this Christmas season.

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This week, invitations included spotlighting someone who shows Christlike love, going without food for at least a meal and donating what would have been spent to a food charity, and watching “The Christ Child.”

If you have participated in any of this past week’s activities, let us know in the comments what you have learned, observed, or felt.

If #LightTheWorld is something you have never heard of, we invite you to take a look and consider joining in with some of the invitations.

The heart of #LightTheWorld is about trying to live and love more as the Savior did and does, and especially about noticing the one. There are many ways to do that, ways that may not be listed on the #LightTheWorld calendar. But it does a heart good to think of Jesus as we interact with others and look for opportunities to be of service, even with — and perhaps especially because — of all the pandemic restrictions in place.

It’s interesting to see how two years ago, women were invited to fast from social media. It gives me pause that during this difficult time, we’re being asked to use it as a way to try to bring more hope and light into the world.

It struck me as I write this that social media is also a way to see others and their lives and needs. Of course, there are many downsides of these tools, but if you are using them, keep looking for ways you can use them with a prayer in your heart to be of service somehow.

And remember that the tools we have at our disposal can include private texts, emails, and other one-on-one conversations.

If you haven’t had a chance yet to watch “The Christ Child” or the behind-the-scenes video about the making of the film, both are embedded below.

You can find this week’s invitations here.

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I missed seeing this #LIGHTtheWORLD concert live (broadcast from YouTube’s space in New York City), but fortunately, the Piano Guys have a recording of the concert on their YouTube channel.

What an amazing group of performers, including Peter Hollens, David Archuleta, Lexi Walker, Nathan Pacheco, Dave & Claire Crosby, Tiffany Alvord, and Taylor Davis.

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What would life be like had the Savior not been born?

“Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ.

“When your desire is firm and you are willing to pay the ‘uttermost farthing,’ the law of restitution is suspended. Your obligation is transferred to the Lord. He will settle your accounts.

“[T]here is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ.”

~Boyd K. Packer

“Life is a school, a place for us to learn and grow. We, like Adam and Eve, experience “growing pains” through the sorrow and contamination of a lone and dreary world. These experiences may include sin, but they also include mistakes, disappointments, and the undeserved pain of adversity. The blessed news of the gospel is that the atonement of Jesus Christ can purify all the uncleanness and sweeten all the bitterness we taste.”

~Bruce C. Hafen

“We need not look upon death as an enemy. With full understanding and preparation, faith supplants fear. Hope displaces despair. The Lord said, “Fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.” (D&C 101:36.) He bestowed this gift: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)”

~Russell M. Nelson

“[T]he Savior’s grace can bless us, beyond its compensation for our sins, in our quest for divine perfection. While much of the perfection process involves a healing from sin and bitterness, the process involves an additional, affirmative dimension through which we may acquire a Christlike nature, becoming even as the Father and Son are.”

~Bruce C. Hafen

“It is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides both a cleansing and redeeming power that helps us to overcome sin and a sanctifying and strengthening power that helps us to become better than we ever could by relying only upon our own strength. The infinite Atonement is for both the sinner and for the saint in each of us.”

~David A. Bednar

The post Why we need a Savior? #ASaviorIsBorn appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

To Christians, the birth of the Savior is one of the most important events of all human history. To think about it at that grand of a scale might sometimes make it easy to miss how very personal the Savior’s mission, purpose, and love are as well.

I like how this Christmas video brings it to that personal level. He was born for you. For me.

It’s only in the last few years that I’ve started to understand more of what it means to have a Savior. I have always known the doctrine that we know in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — that He was born the literal Son of God, that He came to save the world, that resurrection is or will be given to all who have lived or will ever lived on the earth, that He died for our sins.

But to start to taste what it means that He was born and lived and died for me…. That He is aware of and can help me not just to someday be saved but to face my fears, insecurities, and trials today….

This is what I am pondering as the Christmas season starts. What does it mean to me that #ASaviorIsBorn? How can that change and impact my life, today? How can I let Him and His love and healing power into my life more today? How can I seek His grace to be a better disciple of the Savior?

#ASaviorIsBorn — for you. What does that mean to you?

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This live nativity was created last year as part of the #SharetheGift Christmas message sharing effort. (The nativity set a Guiness Book of World Record for the biggest live nativity ever.)

The video includes a powerful rendition of “Angels from the Realms of Glory” featuring The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and more. (This is one of my favorite Christmas song arrangements of all time.)

The hashtag from last year’s Christmas sharing was #SharetheGift. Watch for this year’s Christmas message-sharing around the hashtag #ASaviorisBorn — starting November 29.

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It was the night before Christmas Eve. John was already asleep beside me, unconcerned about the last minute plans I was making. I had meant to be all ready for Christmas, but I didn’t count on the chicken pox. For three days and nights I had cared for Rebecca and Scott, trying to soothe the constant itching. How annoying, I thought—couldn’t they have waited until after the holidays? But now the worst was over; they would sleep well tonight. As I drifted off, a jumble of images fill my mind – no visions of sugar plums – just things to do: Christmas dinner to make…the house to clean…some gifts to deliver…packages to wrap…toys to assemble…a few more stocking stuffers…a list of phone calls…so much to do…

I was awakened early Christmas Eve morning by Rebecca’s touch. “Mommy, my chin hurts.” I could see some puffiness around one of her chicken pox. I admonished her not to scratch it, and closed my eyes again, but she tugged at me again and said, “I don’t feel good.” I reached for her forehead, wondering why her fever had returned.

Since the first of December, she had been counting the days to Christmas, faithfully reminding us every morning what day it was. Yesterday she had proudly announced, “It’s two more days ‘til Christmas!” But this morning, she didn’t say anything about Christmas.

Medication did nothing to ease Rebecca’s fever. Her chin and cheek became hugely swollen, and she lay on the couch, her eyes dull and lifeless. We couldn’t even coax a smile out of her. Something was terribly wrong.

That evening we admitted her to the hospital. I was vaguely aware of the carols playing over the intercom, the strings of colored lights, and the Christmas tree. Mostly, I noticed how strangely quiet it was. As we carried Rebecca down the hallway, I overheard a nurse say, “Wouldn’t it be horrible to bring your child to the hospital on Christmas Eve?”

Yes, it was horrible. I had cried earlier as I selected one present from under the tree for each of our four boys and said good-bye to them, sending them to my parents’ home. Ten-year-old Gary responded, “We don’t even want to have Christmas without Rebecca.” Often the true spirit of Christmas is manifested in a single moment, and this year, the moment was now. “Bless you, Gary,” I said.

Rebecca had cellulitis, a deadly, strep-like infection of the skin that invades deeper and deeper layers of tissue, threatening breathing passageways and the brain within hours. It was not surprising to hear how fast the disease could spread – we had literally watched her face grow throughout the day. Had we waited too long to call the doctor?

Both John and I stayed in her room that first night, watching, worrying, praying and trying to make her comfortable. In the morning she awoke slowly. The infection had spread under her chin and to the other side of her face. John looked at me from across the bed and said grimly, “Merry Christmas.” Rebecca gazed blankly at a white teddy bear on a chair in the corner – a gift from Santa. I was struck by the contrast of this morning with all the other Christmas mornings of my life: No whispers, no giggles, no squeals, no wrapping paper or boxes or bows, no noisy toys, no surprises.

Funny—a few days ago we considered it a hassle to have chicken pox during the holidays. Yesterday, we worried that she was too sick to enjoy her presents. Today we didn’t care about presents. Today we didn’t care about any of the frantic and frivolous Christmas rush.

For two days, we stayed by Rebecca’s bed and watched the infection grow as an IV steadily pumped a high-powered antibiotic into her tiny veins. Her fever hovered around 105. She was afraid of the nurses who came to test her blood for toxins. She was motionless one moment, and restless the next, and miserable all of the time. I prayed in a way that I had never prayed before, and realized more than ever what an immeasurable blessing it is to know that He lives, to know that He would hear my prayers. I begged Him for a miracle. Oh, please, I kept saying, please make her better.

By the third day John and I were nearing exhaustion, but we began to notice a change in Rebecca. Her appetite returned and her fever began to drop. She felt well enough to be bored. When she saw herself in the mirror, she pouted, “My face looks stupid.” Actually, the swelling was beginning to go down. I lifted my eyes heavenward and whispered, “Thank you for this gift.”

After lunch the next day, I was sitting on Rebecca’s hospital bed, reading a new book to her. “Mommy,” she said suddenly, “I missed Christmas.” Tears welled in my eyes. She was right—she had missed Christmas, but none of the rest of us had. Instead, we experienced the most meaningful holiday of our lives. We understood more completely all the true gifts of Christmas, the gifts freely granted us because Christ the Lord was born a babe in Bethlehem: The gift of hope, the gift of love, and yes, the gift of life itself.

We brought Rebecca home two days later when the only sign of her illness was a knot on her chin. The unopened presents were still under the tree where we had left them nearly a week ago, but they held little meaning for us. We had our Christmas gift.

Grace Crowell penned these words that were so appropriate then, as they are now:

I shall have leisure—I shall go out alone from my roof and my door;
I shall not miss the silver silence of stars as I have before;
And oh, perhaps—if I stand there very still and very long,
I shall hear what the clamor of living has kept from me—the angel’s song.

– See more at: http://mormonwoman.org/2009/12/10/first-person-we-didnt-miss-christmas/#sthash.gIpXlBmc.dpuf

*Image source 

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Yes, I know Christmas is over, but my tree is still up and there are still piles of wrapping paper in my living room and a few more Christmas thoughts I wanted to record before I bid the season good-bye. So here is #1 of my two remaining post-Christmas posts.

And actually, this post has ended up being very short.

The word “receive” may, on the surface, seem a bit antithetical to the spirit of Christmas, but to me, it’s at the heart of it all.

I had spent quite a bit of a time writing a post about this topic, but I couldn’t get it to gel. I realized my friend already did such a beautiful job in her post that I want to link to her essay, “Just Receive.”

I will just say this: There are few things that have made Christmas more meaningful than what the Spirit taught me last year about receiving. My friend’s essay stirs those feelings again in my heart. I am grateful for her simple New Year’s resolution, which is one of mine as well:

At the end of this holiday season and the start of a new year, I am determined to keep listening to that voice in my heart that tells me to receive.

And now, tonight, as I reflect more on my friend’s post, the Spirit whispers to me that even the illness that hit me as Christmas came to a close (and has kept me home from three family parties (and counting?)) is itself a gift.

I pray for eyes to see more of what our generous, gentle, loving, patient, all-knowing Father is desirous to give me each day.

If I will but receive.

What is God inviting you to see and receive in your life?

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. -Doctrine and Covenants 88:33

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I’m sitting in my living room next to our lit Christmas tree, amid the cluttered remains of our family Christmas gift exchange. (We don’t usually clean up the wrapping paper for a day or two. There is a bit of a reason for that, which I hope to write about soon.)

I’m always a little bit sad when Christmas ends. It seems like the world just wants to hurry onto the next reason for sales and whatever else.

But I want to linger a little longer in the wonder of the season.

A couple of days ago, my husband’s extended family had a party. We gathered in Salt Lake City at the Church History Museum. Wandering the floors of the museum was part of our celebration. We also got to see the lights at Temple Square, which was fun (something I haven’t done for years).

But one of the things that stuck out to me the most was a passing moment: my sister-in-law leaned over to me and commented on a favorite painting of mine by Rose Datoc Dall that was on display in the museum store window.

Flight by Rose Datoc Dall*

It got me thinking. How often do we stop to consider what happened after the marvelous and miraculous Christmas story?

The event depicted in Flight came at a horrible time in the history of the Savior’s homeland, when King Herod had ordered the death of all children in that area. It’s almost too much to imagine what it must have been like to live through this horror.

Warned by an angel, Joseph took Mary and Jesus away from their home and the people they loved and knew — knowing what the fate of other children and their families would be.

I know most of us are likely already familiar with this story, but it really gave me pause to think about it again, to realize that really bad things happened to a lot of really good people. Children died and parents and communities in general must have suffered immeasurable grief, fear, and confusion. I even wonder if Mary and Joseph may have suffered through later years as they mourned with other parents whose children were killed.

When I thought of the story this week, I thought of the sobering message of it all. God did not protect other children and their parents from this horrible fate — just as He doesn’t always shield us and our children from hard (and sometimes horrible) things.

But He did deliver His Son and guide Joseph to carry Him into Egypt — so that Jesus could later fulfill His mission to deliver us.

The story of this little family’s flight into Egypt is a hard story, a painful story. But it’s also a hopeful one to me when I reach into my heart for my faith. It invites me to ponder more about God’s plan and His big picture, and urges me to seek for more of that kind of eternal perspective in my own life.

What events after the Nativity inspire you to ponder more of what God has done for us through His Son? What art inspires you in your quest to maintain perspective, faith, and hope?

*Image used by permission.

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What might you do to make this Christmas Eve unforgettable? To remember the Reason for the Season? To help children in your family experience the true Spirit of Christmas?

The post An Unforgettable Christmas Eve appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.