Christmas time is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. By following his teachings and example these 25 days leading up to Christmas, we can share His love and light with the world around us. Visit mormon.org each day, December 1-25, to get the scripture prompt and watch a video example of how to apply his words. Search this #LightTheWorld facebook group for more ideas too.
My 2017 Light the World Effort
Here's how I plan to #LightTheWorld this year:
December 1st: "Freely ye have received, freely give." —Matthew 10:8
- Smile. The free-est thing I can think of (insert ‘Merica meme here), is a smile. I’m not a naturally smiley person. But smiling always makes me feel good. I will light the world by intentionally smiling at everyone I come across today. If I don't see many people, I'll just smile whenever I think of it and hope it affects the impersonal interactions I have with others.
December 2nd: "I was thirsty and ye gave me drink." —Matthew 25:35
- Share a scripture and why it was meaningful to me.
- Offer a roommate one of my special fruit juices.
December 3rd (Sunday): “Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.” —Matthew 12:12
- Recognize someone for the church service they give.
- Read an article from a church magazine.
- Support ward choir.
December 4th: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." —Matthew 22:39
- In the morning, faithfully pray/seek to identify someone to serve today (Good Samaritan style).
- Leave a surprise on a neighbor's porch.
- Lend or give something meaningful of mine to someone else.
December 5th: “Honour thy father and thy mother.” —Matthew 15:4
- Spend some time with each of my parents on the phone. Tell them "I love you."
- Do something Mom or Dad has been "bugging" me about.
December 6th: "Judge not, that ye be not judged." —Matthew 7:1
- Forgive someone something. (This may including myself.)
- Ask a loved one (especially a parent) about a time they made a mistake.
December 7th: "Suffer the little children to come unto me." —Mark 10:14
- FaceTime nieces and nephews.
- Plan ahead to offer Friday night babysitting for someone. (Perhaps make it a date.)
- Set up a lunch appointment with a new friend.
December 8th: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." —Matthew 5:44
- Pray for someone I don't particularly like.
- Seek to understand someone by spending time with them. It is said that it is impossible to judge someone whose shoes you've walked in.
- Ask someone how I can improve my relationship with them.
December 9th: "I was sick and ye visited me." —Matthew 25:36
- Post an encouraging message about mental health on social media.
- Make a card for someone who is sick.
- Literally, visit someone who isn't feeling well for one reason or another.
December 10th (Sunday): "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life." —John 5:39
- Share a scriptural-fueled resolution with loved ones.
- Memorize a new scripture. (Bonus: in a foreign language.)
December 11th: "I was a stranger and ye took me in." —Matthew 25:35
- Offer high fives to at least 5 people today.
- Hold the door open for a stranger. (The HBLL is always a good choice.)
December 12th: "Blessed are they that mourn." —Matthew 5:4
- Be an extra-good listener today. Start with “how are you?” Then follow someone to their emotional bottom. Resist the temptation to offer unsolicited advice. Just listen. Empower them to find their own way back up.
- Give a hug to someone who is sad.
December 13th: "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." —Matthew 7:12
- Jesus saw the best in everyone, and so can I. Express sincere gratitude to someone today.
- Think about what I wish someone would do for me. Do it for others instead.
- Think about the type of spouse I wish to have, develop a similar trait in myself.
December 14th: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." —Matthew 6:21
- Journal about my philosophy on how to be happy.
- Schedule only 1 hour of screen time today.
- Review the goals on my horizon. Re-evaluate if I'm headed in the direction I want to be.
December 15th: "Blessed are the merciful." —Matthew 5:7
- Do a self-compassion yoga practice, then see how I can extend that same feeling towards others.
- Be extra-kind to others today.
December 16th: "[I was] naked and ye clothed me." —Matthew 25:36
- Finally donate all the clothes that aren’t spoken for in my room.
- Practice humility.
December 17th (Sunday): "Ye shall meet together oft." —3 Nephi 18:22
- Prepare for Sunday worship on Saturday. Go to bed by 10:30. Set out church clothes Saturday night before.
- Show up to church at least 15 minutes early. Welcome others. Sit reverently.
December 18th: "Forgive men their trespasses." —Matthew 6:14
- Try to find someone who offended me, and forgive them (regardless of whether or not they haven’t asked for forgiveness.)
- If I can't find anyone who's offended me, reinforce behavior I'm grateful for by letting them know.
December 19th: "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." —Matthew 5:12
- Make a concerted effort all day to feel thankful and express gratitude.
- Go on a walk in the morning. Smile and wave to the morning commuters.
December 20th: "A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." —Luke 12:15
- Love people not things. Don’t do anything alone today. Invite someone to go to the temple.
- Journal a list of blessings that aren't "things."
- Do something with someone else that makes them happy.
December 21st: "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat." —Matthew 25:35
- Invite friends over for dinner.
- Go online an give a special fast offering to the Church.
December 22nd: "That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do." —3 Nephi 27:21
- Do a 30 minute scripture study focused on making a list of as many things Christ did that I can do. (This one would have been valuable to do before writing this post.)
- Simply think of 3 things I can do today to be more like Jesus.
December 23rd: "I was in prison and ye came unto me." —Matthew 25:36
- Many people feel like they are trapped for various reasons in their lives. Share an example from my life of the liberating power of offering Christ-like service.
- Text Grandma; tell her I love her.
December 24th (Sunday): "Ye must watch and pray always." —3 Nephi 18:15
- Make morning and evening pray special by journaling/pondering for at least 5 minutes beforehand.
- Try the daily Muslim prayer schedule: pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night.
December 25th: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." —Matthew 5:16
- Post a photo story on instagram of the favorite service opportunity I had through out the month.
- Invite someone to learn more about the Church by directing them to an online resource, or invite them to attend a church service.
Light the World 2016
Here are some examples from last year:
Impressive personal goals! These are so thoughtful and from the heart. Even if you were only able to do some of them, just the awareness and the trying to be more loving and validating is inspiring!
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