5 Ways to Use the Light the World Calendar at Home

With its extra focus on Jesus Christ in so many locations throughout the world, December is a special month where a global community comes together with a feeling of deeper love and awareness for one another. And over the last few years, the Light the World materials have helped us focus on this light and love in a worldwide effort in our homes and communities. As we find more ways to share love this year—particularly in bringing the love of Christ to all—one of these five ideas may help bring a new approach in your Light the World activities.

1. Create a Light the World journal.

Designate a notebook or journal you can use each year to record your experiences in sharing Christ’s light and love with your family and others. Keep a journal of your own, or have family members write in one together. If you don’t live with family, consider creating a digital journal that can be shared with family or friends at a distance.

2. Make ornaments.

Take photos or draw pictures of what you do as you light the world. Then turn them into paper ornaments for your Christmas tree. You can even have a family member write about the experience on the back of the ornament. And don’t forget to include the date you did the activity.

3. Make a paper chain.

If you have young children, you could write out the daily prompts from the Light the World calendar on paper strips and use them to form a paper chain. This gives the children a visual for the month and can enhance their excitement as they open each paper to discover ideas to light the world each day. You can even download Light the World calendar prompts specifically for children.

4. Connect with your family history.

Find opportunities to look for stories of your ancestors who were a light to the world on more than just December 9. For instance, perhaps on December 2 you can consider a wise man or woman from your family history. Or on December 11, find a recipe that your ancestors might have made at Christmastime. On December 18, look for a Christmas song that your ancestors would have sung. Does your family have a Bible from an ancestor? If so, consider reading from that special heirloom on December 19.

In all your activities this month, reflect on how Christ’s birth makes a difference not only for you but for all who have lived—including your ancestors—and how His life, Atonement, and sacrifice in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness are central to our call to gather Israel in love on both sides of the veil.

5. Adapt the calendar.

There are so many ways you can light the world each day. You and your family members have unique gifts and talents, so you might want to adapt the calendar just for you! Prayerfully consider those whom you can help. Or maybe you don’t feel like you can do something every day this month. Just do your best. The Lord loves the effort you can give (see Mark 12:41–44). Rather than losing steam if you miss some days and then skipping the rest of the month altogether, highlight a few dates that feel most important to you and enjoy lighting the world in just those ways. And remember that you’re likely already lighting the world every day through the small and simple things you do in your daily life as a disciple of Jesus Christ (see Alma 37:6).